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A Guide To The Deadline: Buying Or Selling The Biggest NBA Trade Rumors

By Jon Shames

Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) works against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Sacramento Kings defeat the New York Knicks 106-101 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers

There is a lot of interest around the league for Blake Griffin.

That doesn’t mean he’s going anywhere.

Griffin has had his name tossed into trade rumors since it was announced he would miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand, the product of an altercation with the Clippers’ equipment manager. Griffin will also be suspended four games once he is ready to return to the lineup.

Related Story: NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Landing Spots For Blake Griffin

Despite the off-court issues, the Clippers aren’t likely to move Griffin. He is an integral part of what the team is trying to do. At just 26 years old, Griffin is just starting to enter the prime of his career. No legitimate sources have connected Griffin to any trade rumors; it’s been purely speculative.

Multiple teams have called the Clippers about Griffin, but nothing has come to fruition, and general consensus is that L.A. is not willing to part with their star forward at the moment. Per Ben Bolch, LA Times:

"Multiple teams have contacted the Clippers about acquiring Blake Griffin after he punched a team assistant equipment manager, said a person close to the situation not authorized to discuss it publicly, but the team has no active interest in trading its five-time All-Star power forward."

The Clippers have seen limited postseason success, and had a notorious meltdown in the Western Conference semifinals last year, blowing a 3-1 series lead to Houston.

More hoops habit: NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Landing Spots For Blake Griffin

Having said that, keeping Griffin — who had a monstrous playoff performance last year (25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game) is a necessity if the Clippers have real championship aspirations that they would like to realize while Chris Paul still has some gas in the tank.

For that reason, you can sell hard on the Griffin rumors.

Verdict: Sell