Clippers’ Trade Demands For Blake Griffin Were Unrealistic

The Los Angeles Clippers’ trade demands were becoming unrealistic in an attempt to jettison star Blake Griffin.

It’s not going to be that simple for Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin to sail away from the majestic ship Doc Rivers reportedly tried offload him from. Griffin is treading water, trying to save his image and reputation in a league where it’s paramount to be a public figure.

Gone are his endorsements and sponsorships, but a new Blake Griffin could emerge when he returns later in the season.

While that’s a triumphant story for the perennial All-Star, Rivers was trying his best extract as much value in dealing the embattled star. The intentions of Los Angeles were clear, but their ideal compensation in return definitely looks farfetched and slightly unrealistic.

It looks like the Clippers are folding on a Blake Griffin blockbuster, but something might come up when the offseason begins.

Trying to dangle Griffin, Los Angeles didn’t have any leverage-considering how much turmoil their former first overall pick had been going through in the past month.

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He’s not an aging veteran who is expected to decline in production in a few years. On the court, Griffin is putting up All-Star worthy numbers once again and might have been playing Sunday in Toronto if not for his hand injury he suffered in January.

Averaging 23.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor, Griffin is a statistical marvel who has a magnetic quality that attracts fans to stadiums. He’s developed a consistent and effective mid-range jumper to complement his athletic ability on offense.

Shooting 45.0 percent on his catch-and-shoot looks, Griffin is expanding his offensive game by the season.

Even if his game was evolving, his offcourt incident with a Clippers’ assistant equipment manager will put a stain on his label. Rivers has failed to realize that in negotiations. Blinded by the aura that is the former Kia car spokesperson, Rivers has emphatically shut down deals that could amplify Los Angeles’ offense.

The offensive numbers Griffin has accumulated this season look enticing on paper, but the Clippers are significantly improved on both ends of the court when he hasn’t played this season.

"“The Clippers have deployed their own kind of merrymaking in recent weeks amid turbulent times,” said Los Angeles Times’ Ben Bolch. “They are 18-5 since star power forward Blake Griffin was sidelined because of a quadriceps injury and later a broken hand that resulted from an altercation with a team assistant equipment manager.”"

Whether it’s superstition or not, if the Clippers continue to dominate late in the season, Griffin’s services might not be needed. Teams have that notion as leverage in deals and could point to the fact that Griffin is actually hindering the team’s ability to reach elite status.

Both his recent injury history and the Clippers excelling without their star are two reasons why teams are diligently trying to put together a package that doesn’t jeopardize their future.

Orlando, which made the most impactful trade so far by dealing Tobias Harris to Detroit for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova on Tuesday, were reportedly rebuffed after offering two of their young and emerging bigs.

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It comes down to opinion if

and

give Los Angeles the aggregate impact Griffin would bring to the team when he returns from injury.

Gordon, who has garnered a major following after his Slam Dunk Contest screw job, is more versatile than Zach LaVine and impacts the game in many facets. In just 4.8 additional minutes per game than in his rookie season, Gordon drastically increased his rebounding total and is averaging a career-high in points per game, field-goal percentage and PER, among other categories.

Vucevic wouldn’t be the most optimal fit on the Clippers, with DeAndre Jordan encompassing the paint on both ends, but he’d be one of the league’s top backup bigs if Los Angeles accepted this previously rejected offer and inserted Gordon at the 4. Averaging 17.0 points and hauling in 8.9 rebounds per game, Vucevic has failed to match his double-double season of last year.

Another reported offer, this time on the Clippers side, gives teams and personnel an understanding of what Rivers is possibly looking for.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard, on SportsCenter, recently announced that he was told that the Clippers offered Griffin and Lance Stephenson to Denver for Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Nikola Jokic and Will Barton. Basically the entire foundation of the Nuggets’ roster.

It’s safe to say that it’s a monsoon of talent back for the Clips or bust. Rivers isn’t going to force a trade if the return isn’t one that can amount to more than what Griffin can provide the team moving forward. Putting significant stock in the team playing better basketball without arguably their second-best player over the next few years is a risky bet few would be willing to gamble on.

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However, if the Clippers intend to eventually deal Griffin, he’ll have to prove that his brawls are an anomaly and he’s capable of leading a team to a deep playoff run. They’ll also need to water down their wants if they’re putting him on the block.