Clippers Coach Doc Rivers: ‘We’re Not Trading’ Blake Griffin
The Los Angeles Clippers can’t seem to escape the seemingly endless trade speculation concerning the future of superstar forward Blake Griffin. The 26-year-old veteran hasn’t played a game since facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, but his status with the Clippers continues to be a hot topic of discussion.
The NBA trade deadline is on Thursday with the Clippers being an active participant in the trade market. Although the team is looking to upgrade the small forward position and or potentially add another shooter, head coach and general manager, Doc Rivers, continues to deny interest in trading Griffin. Rivers said the following about his forward’s status on Tuesday via ESPN’s Andrew Han:
“I’ve told you we’re not trading Blake, but I guess everyone else wants to keep doing that. So, we’ll let them do that,” Rivers said Tuesday before practice. “It is what it is, nothing we can do about it, honestly. It frustrates you when you know nothing’s going on, but what can you do?”
Earlier this week, a trade rumor surfaced involving Griffin potentially headed to the Denver Nuggets in a deal for a package of players. Los Angeles has been actively searching for ways to improve the team with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs considered to be far better teams in the Western Conference, but the franchise has yet to make a deal involving Griffin or otherwise.
Rumors also began to circulate on Tuesday about the Clippers possibly involved in trade talks with the Orlando Magic. Griffin and Lance Stephenson would’ve been part of the deal with three of the Magic’s talented young core of players coming to Los Angeles in return.
Apparently, the Clippers weren’t content with the trade proposal leading the Magic to make a deal with the Detroit Pistons. Tobias Harris was sent to the Pistons in exchange for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.
Although Rivers maintains that the Clippers will not be trading Griffin, all this speculation seems to say otherwise, even if Los Angeles is only putting feelers out to see what they can get in return. Griffin may ultimately stay with the Clippers, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that he’s dealt elsewhere before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
