NBA Trade Rumors: Blake Griffin For Kevin Love Swap Could Help Clippers And Cavaliers Improve Title Hopes


The NBA trade rumors are taking aim at Blake Griffin, with speculation that the Los Angeles Clippers star could be headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a blockbuster deal for Kevin Love.

Griffin will sit out the next two months after allegedly breaking his hand by punching a Clippers’ training staff member. The Clippers will fall back on Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, leading ESPN’s Zach Lowe to speculate that the Clippers may be better off shipping Griffin elsewhere.

“This promises to be one of the thorniest player-organization situations in the league over the next few months,” Lowe wrote.

As SB Nation reported, there are no solid NBA trade rumors yet surrounding Blake Griffin. But, speculation is picking up as many writers see the Clippers making a move in an attempt to compete with the upper echelon of the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.

SB Nation‘s Jesus Gomez speculated that a Blake Griffin for Kevin Love trade would be a “high risk, high reward move” for both teams, but could yield big results for both.

“Love has had a tough time in Cleveland, but is just two years removed from averaging 26 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. He also has proven three-point range, which should give the Clippers’ offense more room to operate, and he’d likely be used more in the post and on the elbows in L.A.. He’s never played with any rim protector like Jordan, who can make up for his defensive deficiencies, or a point guard like Paul. There’s a real chance he regains his best form with a change of scenery.”

In Cleveland, Kevin Love has been surrounded by plenty of trade rumors himself. Reports indicate that the team may be looking for a bit of an overhaul after the firing of David Blatt, and shipping off Kevin Love could improve the team’s defense and give them a better chance of competing for a title.

It’s not clear what the Cavaliers would be seeking in return, or how Blake Griffin would fit in on a team with plenty of scoring power between LeBron James and Kyrie Irving and not many touches to go around.

There are also indications that Kevin Love may be off the NBA trade block, including the support of general manager David Griffin.

“You’d have to go a long way to convince me that we’re a better team winning in the Finals without a player like Kevin on our team,” Griffin told ESPN 850-AM in Cleveland. “We’ve never once put together an offer involving Kevin, nor have we taken a call on an offer for Kevin.

“We think very highly of Kevin, and we believe Kevin thinks very highly of this situation…But I can also tell you that we have been very clear from the beginning that there’s no such thing as untouchables.”

Blake Griffin may be off limits, as well. Despite his embarrassing incident and the two months he will miss because he couldn’t control his temper with a team staff member, Griffin is still a valuable piece for the team.

Coach Doc Rivers offered some words of forgiveness, though he did compare Griffin to a disgraced American president.

“He feels awful about it and he’s let everyone know that,” Rivers said of Griffin (via the Los Angeles Times). “That’s all you can do, man. You have to forgive people at some point. I believe that. We built Richard Nixon a library.”

As NBA trade rumors go, the Blake Griffin for Kevin Love speculation may be on the more unlikely side, but in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline no rumor is off limits.

[Photo by Harry How/Getty Images]

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