Blake for Durant

[DanishLakerFan]

So this is a move that could make some sense for all parties. It wont happen, but still.

Clippers get: Kevin Durant
Why? They get a top 5 player that will really help balance their offense with his floor spacing and scoring. The overlap between Blake and DeAndre disappear instantly. As much as they like Blake, i think this is the type of move they'd have to do.

OKC get: Blake Griffin
Why? This deal should only be on the table if they believe that Durant might actually leave as a free agent. In that case, i dont think they can do much better than Blake, who have really shown that he's among the very best during these playoffs and he's born in OKC too. The big 3 of Blake-Westbrook-Ibaka would be more than a handfull for anyone.

[Dupp]

Watching Durant play with Cp3 would be an instant orgasm.

[Village Idiot]

If OKC fears losing Durant for nothing then this is a very good deal for them. The Clippers would have to be pretty darned sure that Durant is in for the long haul though or they take a huge risk.

[Laimbeer]

I wouldn't trade Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant. Locked up longer, healthier,and I'm no longer sure Durant is the better player.

[DanishLakerFan]

I wouldn't trade Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant. Locked up longer, healthier, and I'm no longer sure Durant is the better player.

I would in a heartbeat. Curry and Harden led the MVP voting this season, but in my opinion Durant, Lebron and Anthony Davis are on a different level than everyone else, including Griffin.

[Laimbeer]

I wouldn't trade Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant. Locked up longer, healthier, and I'm no longer sure Durant is the better player.

I would in a heartbeat. Curry and Harden led the MVP voting this season, but in my opinion Durant, Lebron and Anthony Davis are on a different level than everyone else, including Griffin.

On an expiring deal and an injury issue? On second glance, I'll backtrack. A healthy Durant is a better player. But other factors change the equation.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Obviously a healthy Durant is a better player. This always happens when someone gets hurt and isn't visible. Go back and watch some tape. Healthy KD might be the best.

[DanishLakerFan]

I wouldn't trade Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant. Locked up longer, healthier, and I'm no longer sure Durant is the better player.

I would in a heartbeat. Curry and Harden led the MVP voting this season, but in my opinion Durant, Lebron and Anthony Davis are on a different level than everyone else, including Griffin.

On an expiring deal and an injury issue? On second glance, I'll backtrack. A healthy Durant is a better player. But other factors change the equation.

I'm not sure if Durant suddently is injury prone and quite honestly sometimes you have to gamble a little bit. Of course the Clips would need confirmation that Durant would want to stick around, but at the same time they have to face the fact that their clock is running out. With a 30 year old CP3 their window is now and unless they manage to really upgrade their bench this year (in addition to bringing back DJ) i think they'll have a hard time coming out of the west.

[bondom34]

Yeah, this isn't really close.

[DreDay]

Clippers would just be a worse Thunder.

[machu46]

It makes a ton of sense if in fact OKC didn't want to deal with the impending Durant sweepstakes, but I can't imagine this will ever come close to happening.

[Smitty731]

First, this has been thrown out by a ton of journalist over the past year. Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne even talked it on his most recent podcast, which is where I am sure this is coming from.

If the Thunder knew Durant was leaving and the Clippers knew they could lock him up, I would do it. Otherwise the Thunder would be looking at getting a bunch of quarters or watching Durant walk for nothing.

And, for the Clippers, if you can get one of the best players in the world, you do it. Especially if he proves healthy and ready to go.

[rugbyrugger23]

First, this has been thrown out by a ton of journalist over the past year. Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne even talked it on his most recent podcast, which is where I am sure this is coming from.

If the Thunder knew Durant was leaving and the Clippers knew they could lock him up, I would do it. Otherwise the Thunder would be looking at getting a bunch of quarters or watching Durant walk for nothing.

And, for the Clippers, if you can get one of the best players in the world, you do it. Especially if he proves healthy and ready to go.

Yes this trade has been talk show tease and net click bait for some time. It does however make SOME sense. Mainly Griffin with his OKC ties, KD leaving OKC worries (assuming he will re-sign for Clippers), and now both teams could use a jolt to the mechanism.

Problem is trade is incomplete, more for OKC. OKC would need to have a follow up trade with Ibaka too, and Kanter isn't a good fit next to Blake (he needs a Jordan rim protector).

[Laimbeer]

First, this has been thrown out by a ton of journalist over the past year. Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne even talked it on his most recent podcast, which is where I am sure this is coming from.

If the Thunder knew Durant was leaving and the Clippers knew they could lock him up, I would do it. Otherwise the Thunder would be looking at getting a bunch of quarters or watching Durant walk for nothing.

And, for the Clippers, if you can get one of the best players in the world, you do it. Especially if he proves healthy and ready to go.

Yes this trade has been talk show tease and net click bait for some time. It does however make SOME sense. Mainly Griffin with his OKC ties, KD leaving OKC worries (assuming he will re-sign for Clippers), and now both teams could use a jolt to the mechanism.

Problem is trade is incomplete, more for OKC. OKC would need to have a follow up trade with Ibaka too, and Kanter isn't a good fit next to Blake (he needs a Jordan rim protector).

Why would they need to trade Ibaka? I can see him and Blake playing together. However, they do have a glut of big men so I'd envision one or more going in a follow up deal.

[Texas Chuck]

Blake Griffin is a better player than I ever thought he'd be. He's been really good for 2 years running now.

I'm still never trading Kevin Durant for him. I'm all-in on KD and if he walks, he walks, but I'm not trading him. Anthony Davis is still the only player that could get me to deal him and the Pelicans aren't doing that so forget it.

[Laimbeer]

I wouldn't trade Blake Griffin for Kevin Durant. Locked up longer, healthier, and I'm no longer sure Durant is the better player.

I would in a heartbeat. Curry and Harden led the MVP voting this season, but in my opinion Durant, Lebron and Anthony Davis are on a different level than everyone else, including Griffin.

Agreed, think this a swap that would help both teams. I would try to make it a bigger deal by moving ilbaka too (probably a third team involved). Maybe OKC getting a proper center next to blake or possibly an improvement on the wing if they like adams/kanter. I would also be open to running with a blake ilbaka combo. Neither a true center but really talented athletic and active. Would be fun to watch. Love to see durant/paul/DJ.

O and on a sidenote: agreed on the real MVPs of the league. I see durant as the third of the 3 you mentioned. Harden has to be right there with KD

I certainly put Curry there as well. I still think Durant got something of a narrative-driven MVP push against LeBron. LeBron is clearly a better player, but there is some LeBron hate out there and the media likes a close race. I don't believe a healthy Durant will really separate himself from Harden or Curry next season.

[bondom34]

I would in a heartbeat. Curry and Harden led the MVP voting this season, but in my opinion Durant, Lebron and Anthony Davis are on a different level than everyone else, including Griffin.

Agreed, think this a swap that would help both teams. I would try to make it a bigger deal by moving ilbaka too (probably a third team involved). Maybe OKC getting a proper center next to blake or possibly an improvement on the wing if they like adams/kanter. I would also be open to running with a blake ilbaka combo. Neither a true center but really talented athletic and active. Would be fun to watch. Love to see durant/paul/DJ.

O and on a sidenote: agreed on the real MVPs of the league. I see durant as the third of the 3 you mentioned. Harden has to be right there with KD

I certainly put Curry there as well. I still think Durant got something of a narrative-driven MVP push against LeBron. LeBron is clearly a better player, but there is some LeBron hate out there and the media likes a close race. I don't believe a healthy Durant will really separate himself from Harden or Curry next season.

If Durant had an MVP case that was narrative driven against Lebron, then Curry definitely did.

[Texas Chuck]

I certainly put Curry there as well. I still think Durant got something of a narrative-driven MVP push against LeBron. LeBron is clearly a better player, but there is some LeBron hate out there and the media likes a close race. I don't believe a healthy Durant will really separate himself from Harden or Curry next season.

Uh you might want to go back and look at the year Durant had last year. That was an absolutely spectacular season.

I don't deny that there is some anti-Lebron narrative going on. He should have Derrick Rose's MVP for example, but Kevin Durant was absolutely 100% a worthy MVP on his own merits last year.

[DanishLakerFan]

First, this has been thrown out by a ton of journalist over the past year. Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelburne even talked it on his most recent podcast, which is where I am sure this is coming from.

If the Thunder knew Durant was leaving and the Clippers knew they could lock him up, I would do it. Otherwise the Thunder would be looking at getting a bunch of quarters or watching Durant walk for nothing.

And, for the Clippers, if you can get one of the best players in the world, you do it. Especially if he proves healthy and ready to go.

Yes this trade has been talk show tease and net click bait for some time. It does however make SOME sense. Mainly Griffin with his OKC ties, KD leaving OKC worries (assuming he will re-sign for Clippers), and now both teams could use a jolt to the mechanism.

Problem is trade is incomplete, more for OKC. OKC would need to have a follow up trade with Ibaka too, and Kanter isn't a good fit next to Blake (he needs a Jordan rim protector).

I've head this deal mentioned earlier in the season as well, but the reason why i think it's suddently relevant is because:
1. Clippers lost in the second round - again - and some are concerned if they have what it takes to go all the way.
2. Based on Blake's solid regular season performance the Thunder wouldn't never even consider a deal like this, but considering how well he played in the postseason, this isn't as big a drop in talent as you'd expect when you move a guy like Durant.

From the Thunder's point of view, i think the only thing they cant do is to allow him to walk for nothing. That would result in Westbrook and Ibaka doing the same the following year, which would be a complete disaster. Ideally, they keep their core intact, but if they have any doubt regarding Durant they would have to consider it.

Regarding Ibaka, i think they would be fine going with him and blake at the 4 and 5.

[Laimbeer]

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