NBA Trade Rumors: Orlando Magic Called Los Angeles Clippers About Blake Griffin

NBA trade rumors are saying that Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan contacted Los Angeles Clippers president Doc Rivers about the possibility of doing a Blake Griffin trade, according to Basketball Insiders. Hennigan apparently tried to offer three Magic players in exchange for Griffin, who has drawn some ire from within the Clippers organization after breaking his hand while punching a team trainer at a restaurant.

Ever since Stan Van Gundy left the team, the Orlando Magic have been collecting talent via the NBA Draft over the past couple of years, yet still are not able to get into the playoffs. That’s not exactly a position that excites the fan base, one that has had their hearts broken by the departures of Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. Orlando knows that they need a new star player to build around, so that they can actually contend in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the distracting season that he has had this year, Blake Griffin is still a star player in the NBA. He can consistently put up shots and grab rebounds in bunches. Griffin has a career scoring average of 21.6 and a career rebounding average of 9.6. The former Oklahoma Sooners star has also become quite the passer, impressively putting up more than five assists a game over the past two seasons.

You’d have to be a pretty big star in the NBA to get a general manager to give up three good players in exchange. No word yet on the actual trade that Rob Hennigan offered Doc Rivers, but reports have surfaced stating that Tobias Harris is definitely one of the key pieces in the transaction. Hennigan likes Harris, as evident by a $64 million contract that was signed, but he would be willing to move him if it means bringing Blake Griffin to the Orlando Magic.

In Tobias Harris, Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers would have a very talented piece of clay to mold. He’s a versatile player that can do a little bit of everything. Harris is also someone that is willing to put the team ahead of himself, which means that he could be an excellent fit with Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan. Tobias can spread the floor while the two Clippers stars run their deadly pick and roll game.

Victor Oladipo has been mentioned in a couple of NBA trade rumors this month, so he might have possibly been one of the three Orlando Magic player that was offered. Like Tobias Harris, Oladipo is someone that can do a little bit of everything. His versatility makes him a perfect sixth man. Oladipo and Jamal Crawford can keep the Los Angeles Clippers in the game when Chris Paul and JJ Redick are taking a breather.

Channing Frye is another possible Orlando Magic candidate, as the veteran performer is one of the better role-playing stretch forwards in the NBA. He’s also willing to come off the bench, which would enable Tobias Harris to start alongside Paul Pierce and DeAndre Jordan in the front court. Frye can consistently hit shots from beyond the three-point line, so Chris Paul and Jordan would really appreciate the floor spacing.

Mario Hezonja would be an interesting prospect for the Los Angeles Clippers. He was the fifth overall selection in the NBA Draft last year. Hezonja has played well enough to earn approximately 15 minutes a game, which isn’t something easy to do when you consider that Scott Skiles is the head coach of the Orlando Magic.

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