NBA Rumors: Trade Buzz on Boston Celtics, Blake Griffin and Russell Westbrook
This is quickly becoming the summer of the Boston Celtics.
Even with the NBA draft and the heart of the free-agency period behind us, general manager Danny Ainge and Co. are the constant subject of trade rumors thanks to Boston’s seemingly endless list of draft assets.
The latest rumblings involve two of the NBA’s biggest superstars.
Check out below for the latest.
On Thursday, Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported that the Celtics’ “likely target” in their pursuit of a big-name player is Blake Griffin.
Deveney pointed to a potential three-way deal that would involve the Los Angeles Clippers, Rudy Gay and the Sacramento Kings, plus Boston.
Three days later, though, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald shot that down—temporarily, at least. Bulpett reported that despite rumored interest, there have been “no recent talks” involving Griffin.
One of Bulpett’s sources pointed to Griffin’s quad injury, which robbed him of most of 2015-16, as a road block to a deal with any team, not just the Celtics.
“We looked into him, and we’re hearing that’s a pretty serious thing,” an unnamed executive said. “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.”
The Clippers have Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and J.J. Redick. They want to win—and not a few years down the line. They want to win now.
Flipping the high-flying forward for another All-Star would make sense. Boston just doesn’t have much worth trading for in that department given that Isaiah Thomas and CP3 are both floor generals.
It’s hard to truly rule Boston out given its assets, but don’t hold your breath waiting for Griffin to don green and white.
Being that Russell Westbrook is heading into the final year of his contract, he will have a say in his ultimate destination if—and that’s a big if—he gets traded.
According to Adi Joseph of Sporting News, the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to pursue the Oklahoma City Thunder star.
It would be necessary for Westbrook to commit long-term before any deal takes place, however, and that’s going to be tough to gauge.
Turner Sports analyst David Aldridge reported on July 4 that Westbrook has his eyes set on the open market next summer:
Bulpett reported on Sunday that, like Griffin, there have been no talks involving Westbrook recently.
While unlikely, OKC would be a more fitting trade partner than the Clippers. With Kevin Durant gone and the remaining pieces—Steven Adams (22), Victor Oladipo (24), Enes Kanter (24), Cameron Payne (21) and Domantas Sabonis (20)—all on the green side of 25, general manager Sam Presti could plan for a title run in a handful of years.
Trading Westbrook and recouping a package of picks and possibly Thomas (among other players) makes sense. After all, Presti can't let another superstar leave and get nothing in return.
For Westbrook, Boston would provide a chance to challenge LeBron James in the Eastern Conference alongside Al Horford, Jae Crowder, Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, Marcus Smart and 2016 No. 3 pick Jaylen Brown.
The road to the NBA Finals still goes through LBJ and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but defeating one beast is much simpler than running a gauntlet through the ferocious Western Conference.
Again, Westbrook would have to sign on with the Celtics long-term. That’s where things get tricky. But of all teams with enough riches to tickle OKC’s fancy, Boston arguably presents the situation most likely to get an agreement from Russ.
