NBA Rumors: Latest on Potential Blake Griffin Trade, Russell Westbrook and More
Kevin Durant's name has left the rumors market, but in his wake goes former teammate Russell Westbrook and an out-of-the-blue entry by the name of Blake Griffin.
Who says the NFL is the only year-round sport with drama highlighting every month?
One would think it would die down a tad, and folks would focus on which rookies do what in which summer leagues. But a splash as big as Durant joining the Golden State Warriors doesn't go unanswered, it's like dropping a whale in a swimming pool from a helicopter.
Below, let's catch up on the biggest rumors to know making the rounds.
Latest on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Talks
It's doesn't get anywhere near the headlines it deserves, but the Detroit Pistons did a great job of upgrading the roster, landing Tobias Harris and drafting Henry Ellenson to what is already a strong crop of players.
In theory, those two can grow with Reggie Jackson at the point and Andre Drummond down low. They are bigger names than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but KCP is just as important in the puzzle.
David Mayo of MLive.com has revealed the team has already talked with KCP about an extension.
"There is no rush because of the late-October deadline to extend Caldwell-Pope's rookie contract, but initial discussions between agent Rich Paul and the Pistons did not produce a quick agreement," Mayo wrote.
Caldwell-Pope joined the Pistons via the 2013 draft at No. 8 overall and over three seasons has posted averages of 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 40.8 percent from the floor.
In other words, the 23-year-old Georgia product has more than earned an extension, especially from a forward-looking Detroit front office that doesn't want him to receive an offer as a restricted free agent next year and have to way overpay.
It's smart Detroit has already brought up the idea. Whether Caldwell-Pope wants to end up playing ball knowing a major restricted offer could come if he puts up another strong season remains to be seen.
Blake Griffin Trade
The Boston Celtics would be the team to blame for Griffin's name coming up in trade rumors.
Granted, it was easy to speculate about Griffin being the weak link before the rumors market came into play. He's 27 years old, will naturally get away from the athleticism-based game he brings to the court, had an in-team fight that broke his hand last season and only appeared in 35 games.
According to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, the Celtics have Griffin as a top target:
"The likely target for the Celtics, according to front-office sources, is Clippers forward Blake Griffin. The Clippers have been weighing trading Griffin all season, and the possibility of a three-team package involving Sacramento sending Rudy Gay to the Clippers has emerged. The Celtics would give up some number of their upcoming draft picks, but opposing front-office members say they don't want to give up either Brooklyn pick Boston can own in the next two years.
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That's a lot in one note. The gist is simple—Boston has the assets to make a move, sees a Sacramento Kings team wanting to make a move and sees the same mentioned speculative structure surrounding Griffin.
For the sake of disclosure, though, it's important to note Dan Woike of the Orange County Register has a different tune about the whole rumor:
Either way, Griffin is a logical fit in Boston, where the backcourt is already stacked with names such as Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Smart, Demetrius Jackson and Avery Bradley. Down low, though, the Celtics could use a running mate for Al Horford other than Jonas Jerebko and Amir Johnson.
One can't know what's going on behind the scenes with the Los Angeles Clippers, but if the situation with Griffin is rocky, getting back a small forward like Rudy Gay and finally putting to rest the question marks at the position after missing on Durant and losing guys like Jeff Green is a great way to finish the offseason with a bang.
Maybe this is all too logical to come to fruition. Or maybe it's just not big enough.
Russell Westbrook Trade
How's this for big? The Celtics could land Westbrook.
Sure, we just mentioned the Celtics already have plenty of backcourt talent, but there's a huge difference between Westbrook and any of the guys named. If Boston goes out and strikes a deal for Westbrook, it has a top-10 player and will have to surrender a point guard to make it worthwhile.
According to Bleacher Report's Howard Beck, Boston is the likeliest destination for Westbrook: "What I’m hearing here in Las Vegas from some GMs is that not only do they think that Westbrook will get traded, that it will be sooner rather than later, probably before the season starts, and that the most likely destination right now will be the Boston Celtics."
If the Celtics want to make a splash and get the biggest boost for a longer duration, Westbrook is the guy to go out and get. The man averages 21.5 points and 7.6 assists on his career at the age of 27 and now has more anger to play with than usual after Durant went to join a superteam.
If it's not Boston, odds are it's somewhere else sooner or later. Oklahoma City didn't demand a decision from Durant, instead letting things play out. Now he's on the Warriors, and the Thunder won't contend without him. Should Westbrook do the same next summer, that's two top-10 players bolting without the team getting anything back in return.
Boston has the most to offer Oklahoma City, at least right now. Until the Celtics actually make a move, should the front office decide to do so, they'll likely be the favorites for any major name. That's a testament to a job well done by team president Danny Ainge, who has built a mountain-looking stockpile of assets.
Westbrook in green sounds right. The timing, however, is as unpredictable as Durant's decision.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
