Blake Griffin Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Clippers Star

Los Angeles Clippers superstar power forward Blake Griffin has reportedly emerged as a potential trade candidate before the start of the 2016-17 season. 

Continue for updates.

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NBA Exec Comments on Impact of Griffin's Injury to Trade Market

Saturday, July 16

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald talked about Griffin with an "opposing team exec," who commented on the Clippers star's health:

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“I still think there’s a concern with his leg,” he said, referring to a partially torn left quad tendon that cost Griffin serious time last season and never fully healed before causing him to miss the end of the playoffs. He reportedly received a bone marrow injection following the season, which is keeping him off the U.S. Olympic team.

“We looked into him, and we’re hearing that’s a pretty serious thing,” the source continued. “I’m not saying you don’t go after him, but you’d better be really sure about that leg before you go making any big commitments.”

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Griffin Linked to Celtics

Saturday, July 16

"In terms of other players in which the Celts are rumored to have interest, there have still been no recent talks regarding [Griffin] or Russell Westbrook," according to Bulpett.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported Thursday that league sources are linking the Celtics to a possible deal for Griffin, with the franchise pushing to make a blockbuster move "soon."

Although the details of the potential trade are still being sorted out, the Sacramento Kings would likely get involved by sending Rudy Gay to the Clippers, according to Deveney. Boston is expected to utilize its plethora of future draft picks to bolster the offer.

The Sporting News report noted Los Angeles doesn't want to give up Griffin without getting a marquee name in return, along with draft picks, which is why it probably needs a third team like Sacramento.

His ability to make a major impact when healthy would be a welcome addition for a Boston squad that has a lot of promising pieces but is still in need of more high-end star power. It sounds like the Celtics are working hard to change that before the offseason ends.

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Clippers May Be Changing Stance on Griffin Trade

Trading the talented forward would mark a change of direction for the Clippers. In May, Joe Resnick of the Associated Press passed along comments from Doc Rivers, the Clippers' head coach and president of basketball operations, who stated he wouldn't break up the trio of Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Griffin during the offseason.

"We're close, and we know that," Rivers said. "We have a priority of trying to just keep making our team better. Obviously because of the injuries—Blake's in particular—we literally don't know what we could have done. Even during the playoffs, he still wasn't a hundred percent."

Griffin played in just 35 games last season. He missed an extended period with a tear in his left quadriceps tendon and then suffered a broken hand after getting into a fracas with one of the team's assistant equipment managers, per Andrew Han of ESPN.com.

He never looked all the way back to full strength during the latter stages of the season, either. He averaged just 15 points while shooting 37.7 percent from the floor in four playoff games.

Looking ahead, an entire offseason to rest and heal should get him back in top form heading into next season. The silver lining is that he still came in fourth among power forwards in player efficiency rating despite a frustrating campaign by his standards, according to ESPN.com.