The Clippers proposed a deal to the Timberwolves that would have sent Blake Griffin to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns but talks did not advance past the initial phone call, Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders writes.
The Timberwolves view Towns as a franchise cornerstone who is not available at this time, Scotto notes. Aside from Minnesota’s reluctance to part with Towns, several other factors stand in the way of a trade. Los Angeles signed Griffin to a massive five-year, $171MM extension this past offseason. Not only does that make Griffin ineligible to be traded until January 15, but Towns’ salary is a mere $6.2MM compared to Griffin’s $29.5MM.
To facilitate a trade, the Timberwolves would likely need to send at least two more players to L.A. to acquire Griffin. That would also complicate the Clippers’ roster as the organization would need to figure how to open a roster spot for the hypothetical third player acquired, according to Scotto.
Griffin, 28, has played well when healthy for the Clippers this season, averaging 22.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 5.2 APG in 25 games. In his third season, the 22-year-old Towns’ scoring is down from last season (20.2 PPG) but his 12.0 RPG in an NBA-best 44 games is in line with his career totals.
The Clippers’ performance this season has fluctuated but the team is currently one game behind the Pelicans for the eighth seed with a 20-21 record. A rebuild has been rumored for months which would likely include shipping the likes of DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams elsewhere. However, this is the first time we are hearing that the Clippers have discussed Griffin in trade talks.
I can’t blame the Clips for asking, but man would that be a stupid move on Minnesota’s part.
Sorry man, bu that is an easy way to get other teams to not even answer or take you seriously next time. They should never have brought that up. Most riduculous rumor I have heard in years.
This trade would make no sense for the T Wolves!
None whatsoever!
The T Wolves picked Towns over Okafor and looked the better for it, now they could possibly reverse course and look silly. Griffin is a good player, but too many injuries and incidents for my liking.
This is laughable and embarrassing for the clippers. Complete failure to properly evaluate the value of their own player.
Agreed, Clippers are still a Joke..
Doesn’t hurt to try…?
Join the (losers) ahem clippers HaHa!
True, but man, Towns which is having an allstar season for BG, come on now. Probably if they were to eat a significant portion of the salary, maybe but still. KAT is having a great season..
Abolutely it hurts. That GM is now never going to take the clips seriously for a future trade. Not only that, but if Blake is in the market and other GMs are hearing the asking price, they might just steer away.
Desperate attempt by the Clippers. Again, they should sell off the few valuable assets they have (DJ and Lou Williams). Their cap situation has them trapped for the next couple of years, but they aren’t going go be good enough for a Blake/Gallinari-led squad to pose a serious threat in the playoffs and likely won’t be bad enough to get a decent lottery pick. As more max contracts are handed out and Blake’s deal gets closer to expiring, his contract might become more tradeable. But the last thing they need to do is hand out big contracts that become unmoveable and force them to resign their own guys because they don’t have the cap space to sign free agents.
Well no s*** it didn’t get advanced the initial phone call. I’m sure Thibodeau couldn’t stop laughing his a** off when they asked
Griffen can’t stay healthy and Towns has been good for a Wolves team that is finally doing good. This trade would be stupid to make for them
“And Towns has been good” is an pretty big understatement. Towns can easily be in MVP talks
There was the phone call followed by the timberwolves front office immediately hanging up.
I’ll bet Scotto got this story by asking thibs what’s the most ridiculous trade offer he’s heard.
“I’m sorry, but the number you are trying to reach is no longer in service.”
Should’ve never resigned him to begin with. it was time for a full rebuild and now they’re stuck with his awful contract he’s not even close to being worth.
“Hello, this is Thibs…”
…
“Who is this? How did you get this number?”
Um, it’s Doc Rivers. Remember you were my assistant coach and Boston?
They forget so quickly once they get a little success of their own.
LOL what a ridiculous proposition.
I absolutely love the move for both sides, the Wolves become much more well rounded with Griffin and can just slot Taj or Gorgui at the 5 plus they have Patton. Griffin is more of an all around forward and fits better with Wiggins and Butler. As for Towns assuming the Clippers move Jordan by the deadline he would be able to get all the touches he wants on the Clippers and blossom into a superstar there.
The Clippers already have Teodosic to feed him the ball and complimentary pieces who won’t take the ball from him.
Troll?
Pretty sure Dionis is Lawrence Frank posing as an “objective” basketball fan.
Also if by “more all around” you mean expensive than yes Blake Griffin is the more all around player of the two. But on the court 3pt shooting, blocks, Rebounding, ft percentage, points, steals, being healthy are all things KAT does better than Griffin.
Wtf are you smoking? Griffin suits the Wolves better that is what I am trying to say. Does not demand the ball as much as KAT and his passing off the post would better benefit Wiggins and Butler as cutters. Towns would flourish on the Clippers as a number 1 option, idc what you dudes got to say I know what I am talking about.