Blake Griffin Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks, Clippers Deny ‘Melo-For-Griffin Talks

January 4th, 2014 at 7:44pm CST by Zachary Links

7:44pm: Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld took to Sulia and expanded on the quotation that Woelfel tweeted earlier. Rivers’ full comment on the alleged deal:

“Please, please, let’s move on. That’s so stupid. Let’s move on. It really is, it’s just so stupid. You know how I rarely read stuff, but someone told me to read that. … It’s just stupid. My issue with any of that crap is that network (ESPN), to me, reports a story that they created and then they do reports on it for the next two days, on a story that they created! It’s stupid. [Griffin’s] name isn’t out there. I mean, if you’re the Knicks or whoever, wouldn’t you want Blake Griffin? I would! I don’t see what the story is, I really don’t. I just thought it was such a non-story.”

The Knicks have echoed Rivers’ sentiment and haven’t considered a deal involving Anthony and Griffin, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post. According to Berman, the only way the Knicks would attempt to deal for Griffin is if New York was facing a situation where they lost Anthony to another club this summer without compensation.

7:06pm: Before Saturday night’s game against the Spurs, Clippers coach Doc Rivers called the rumors suggesting such a deal between his team and the Knicks “so stupid,” tweets Gary Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times.

11:37am: A source tells Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com that the mutual desire Anthony and Paul have to play together is just as strong as it was in 2010, when Paul suggested at Anthony’s wedding that he’d join the Knicks.

8:04am: As Carmelo Anthony plays out the final year of his contract with the Knicks, club officials have discussed proposing a trade to the Clippers for Blake Griffin, league sources tell Chris Broussard of ESPN.com. Sources say the Clippers front office has also had internal discussions about such a deal ,but the two sides haven’t talked to each other about a potential deal yet.

As of now, neither team is certain it would pull the trigger. The Clippers appear to be the more reluctant party, however, because of the season Griffin is having. He’s really turned it up as of late, averaging 26 points and nearly 11 rebounds in his past ten games. One source close to the situation said the Clippers’ latest round of talks ended in favor of keeping the 24-year-old.

Meanwhile, New York’s top priority appears to be re-signing Anthony to a long-term deal. Unfortunately for them, the team’s struggles and Melo’s unwillingness to make a commitment to the club mean that they have to explore other possibilities. The Clippers are one possibility for the Knicks since Anthony and Clippers point guard Chris Paul have wanted to play together since 2010 and that sentiment apparently has not changed.

Odds & Ends: Rivers, Stan Van Gundy, Jazz

October 17th, 2013 at 11:07pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Clippers coach Doc Rivers sits down with Harvey Araton of the New York Times to discuss the scrutiny that accompanied his exit from Boston and his willingness to accept the responsibility if things don’t go well in Los Angeles: “But when (the opportunity to coach the Clippers) presented itself, I thought, ‘Wow, this would be a unique situation for me…If there’s a mistake, it’s my fault. I don’t want to blame someone else. I want to blame me.”

Rivers also commented on how the free throw shooting struggles of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin has been somewhat of an achilles’ heel for the team in the past: “Blake and D. J., they missed a couple, and their whole game changed…Blake would stop driving, stop attacking, because he didn’t want to get fouled. D. J. didn’t even want to touch the ball. Then he would take all that defensive energy he had and throw it out of the game.”

Here are the rest of tonight’s miscellaneous links:

Despite the tumultuous way in which their working relationship ended in Orlando, former coach Stan Van Gundy still thinks that the Magic should retire Dwight Howard‘s number, writes Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel (Subscribers only).
Jazz camp hopeful Lester Hudson values his opportunity to stick in the NBA after being a career journeyman since entering the league (Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune). In another Utah-related piece, John Lucas III talks about being fueled to secure his NBA future after his international and D-League experiences: “Every time I step on the court, (I think), ‘I don’t want to go back to Italy. I don’t want to go back to Spain. Don’t want to go back to China (or the) D-League…I feel like I’m at home. I just have that in the back of my head all the time, so when I step on that court I give it everything I have” (Jody Genessy of the Deseret News).
Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston answered a few questions from his readers in his newest edition of “Celtics Mailbag.”
Bucks head coach Larry Drew spoke about the importance of having a veteran like Zaza Pachulia around the team, especially with their familiarity together stemming from their history in Atlanta (Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel).

Western Rumors: Ibaka, Blazers, Kings,

October 12th, 2013 at 6:40pm CST by Spencer Lund

The Thunder surprised many when they traded star sixth man James Harden to the Rockets right before the 2012/13 season start. Serge Ibaka was awarded a 4-year, $48MM contract earlier in the summer of 2012 and tells Jeff Caplan at the NBA’s Hang Time Blog that he’s worked on his ball handling and offensive game this season.

After Russell Westbrook went down with a torn meniscus against the Rockets in last year’s opening round of the Western Conference playoffs, the Thunder struggled without their playmaking point guard. Kevin Durant had to carry a heavier offensive burden, and Ibaka’s play suffered without Westbrook to alleviate defensive pressure.

The Thunder will need Ibaka to inherit a more substantial offensive workload to begin this season with Westbrook expected to miss the first couple of months recovering from a second surgery to fix issues stemming from the original surgery on his meniscus.

Here are some notes from around the Western Conference tonight:

With Westbrook out, there are concerns about how much Durant will have to do for the Thunder to survive Westbrook’s absence in the first part of the season. Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman tweets that head coach Scott Brooks says KD will play between 38-40 minutes this season.
Mayberry adds, via Twitter, that no player within the last 9 seasons has gone on to win a title after logging more than 3000 minutes in the regular season, but Brooks doesn’t place much stock in that info.
Dee Bost, Richard Howell and E.J. Singler are likely headed to the Blazers’ D-League affiliate after camp, according to Gino Pilato of D-League Digest. That’s no surprise, since they’re the only three players on Portland’s roster without fully guaranteed deals.
New Kings coach Michael Malone says rookies Ben McLemore and Ray McCallum are making the most of their minutes during the preseason (Twitter).
Malone also said, via the Kings‘ official Twitter account, that playing defense as a cohesive 5-man group is the key for this year’s Kings team to be successful.
The Clippers Blake Griffin will play tonight against the Jazz after suffering a bruised knee in practice on Tuesday, reports ESPN LA. MRI results showed no structural damage and Griffin returned to practice on Friday.

Western Notes: Wright, Burke, Griffin, Gasol

October 10th, 2013 at 10:58pm CST by Alex Lee

We already covered the East, now let’s check in on what is happening around the league out West tonight:

Brandan Wright sustained a small, non-displaced fracture to his left shoulder that is unlikely to require surgery, the Mavericks announced today. Wright, who re-signed with the team in July, is entering his sixth year in the league and third with the Mavs. No timetable has been set for his return.
Rookie point guard Trey Burke is concentrating on making a good impression on his opponents as the Jazz‘s preseason gets into full swing, writes Aaron Falk of the Salt Lake Tribune. Burke, who the Jazz took in June at No. 9, figures to run the point for a young but talented team in Utah.
Blake Griffin suffered a bone bruise in his left knee in a Wednesday night scrimmage while attempting to dunk, writes Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times. Griffin’s precautionary MRI showed no structural damage, reports Turner, but the All-Star forward is still likely to miss an undisclosed amount of practice and preseason time.
If Pau Gasol, more physically and mentally ready than he’s been in years, has the type of season he expects to have in Los Angeles, he believes the Lakers will want to re-sign him in the offseason, writes Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News. However, Gasol is unlikely to be willing to accept a significant pay cut to stay in the purple and gold, per Medina. Gasol will make $19.3MM this year.

Western Notes: Aldridge, Griffin, Williams, Grizzlies

July 29th, 2013 at 8:42pm CST by Zachary Links

In today's chat, Luke Adams gave the Warriors credit for an aggressive offseason, but also noted that they'll have a tough hill to climb given the competition in the West this season. In his view, the best case scenario for Golden State is to capture the third seed with the bottom being something resembling the Lakers' 2012/13 campaign – lots of injuries and fighting just to squeak into the playoffs. The Warriors' summer saw them add Andre Iguodala, Toney Douglas, Marreese Speights, and Jermaine O'Neal while sending $24MM+ in expiring contracts (Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush) to the Jazz. Here's more from the Western Conference..

Blazers GM Neil Olshey explored the possibility of a LaMarcus Aldridge-for-Blake Griffin swap with the Clippers this summer, writes Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. However, the talks didn't go anywhere. Olshey, of course, was the Clips' assistant GM when the team drafted Griffin. It's not surprising to hear that Olshey put out feelers for such a deal given the questions surrounding Aldridge's future in Portland.
Free agent Mo Williams is flying in to meet with the Grizzlies' front office tonight, tweets Chris Vernon of 92.9 ESPN Radio. Late last week we learned that Memphis is the mix for the guard while the Heat are also keeping an eye on him.
There are plenty of obstacles in the way of a positive return to the NBA for Pelicans target Greg Oden, but as one team official tracking Oden told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, one can't help but get excited about a big man who can move as well as he can. "He's not that far off microfracture [surgery]," a team executive said in regard to the former No. 1 overall pick. "He still has a way to go to getting his knee where it needs to be, but there are possibilities."

Blazers GM, Aldridge Reps Discuss Possible Trade

July 17th, 2013 at 11:33pm CST by Chuck Myron

Blazers GM Neil Olshey met Sunday in Las Vegas with members of LaMarcus Aldridge's camp who suggested several trade scenarios, a source tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. The source described the meeting as productive, with both sides focused on the best outcome for all involved. Still, Haynes hears the team is in no hurry to trade the All-Star power forward, particularly if there isn't a fair deal available. Olshey and company don't want a package of draft picks in return, according to Haynes.

The Bulls, Timberwolves, Clippers, Hawks and Pelicans have declined to include Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Blake Griffin, Al Horford and Anthony Davis, respectively, in any deal for Aldridge, Haynes hears. Aldridge has told Haynes and others that he has not requested a trade, and Haynes has confirmed that he hasn't done so. Still, Aldridge isn't opposed to a trade, just as he'd be OK with returning to Portland, as Haynes writes, echoing his report from last month.

A strong performance from Aldridge this season could help Olshey find the deal he wants next summer, when Aldridge will be down to one more year on his contract. The 28-year-old Arn Tellem client will make $14.628MM this season and $15.756MM in 2014/15.

The NBA’s New Maximum Salaries

July 10th, 2013 at 8:57am CST by Luke Adams

After jumping by 5.77% a year ago, the maximum salary for NBA players increased by a much more modest amount this year — about 1%. Here's a breakdown of how this season's maximum salaries compare to last season's, via cap expert Larry Coon (Twitter link):

These changes to the maximum salary won't have an impact on players like Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, whose salaries had already exceeded the max and been previously established. However, they'll have an effect on James Harden and Blake Griffin, who signed max-salary extensions last offseason with the Rockets and Clippers respectively. Those new deals will take effect this coming season, and will use the new max figures.

Because Griffin was voted to two All-Star teams during his rookie-scale contract, he's eligible for the "Derrick Rose Rule" extension, which means he'll earn the max for a player with seven to nine years of experience. Harden will earn the standard max for a player with one to six years of experience. Here's how the two deals will break down:

The new maximum salaries would also impact free agents like Brandon Jennings and Nikola Pekovic, but it appears unlikely that either of those guys will receive max deals.

Lakers Not Ruling Out Sign-And-Trade Of Dwight

June 16th, 2013 at 10:20am CST by Chuck Myron

The "overriding expectation persists" that the Lakers won't faciliate a sign-and-trade of Dwight Howard this summer, but the team hasn't completely dismissed the idea, according to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com. The Lakers are willing to listen to just about any idea, and there are indications the Lakers wouldn't dismiss a formal offer from the Clippers of Eric Bledsoe and Blake Griffin for Howard, the ESPN scribes report.

Stein and Shelburne hear the Rockets are likely to offer Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin for Howard in an attempt to open enough cap space for both Howard and Chris Paul. Though Asik, a cheaper basket protector than Howard, and Lin, who thrived with the Knicks under current Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, may be enticing figures for the Lakers, L.A.'s brass would ultimately prefer not to take on any salary if Howard walks.

The Lakers have maintained a dialogue with Howard's representatives throughout the spring and are still confident they can re-sign the Dan Fegan client, even though Howard is intent on listening to pitches from other teams. The team's main priority, beyond re-signing Howard, is reducing its luxury tax bill and positioning itself for the summer of 2014. As it stands, no Laker aside from Steve Nash is signed beyond next season.

Clippers/Celtics Updates: Sunday

June 16th, 2013 at 8:26am CST by Chuck Myron

There were a lot of moving parts involved in Saturday's dominant storyline, a proposed trade that would send Celtics mainstays Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to the Clippers. Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, with an assist from Chris Broussard, as well as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times rounded up the relevant details late last night. Based on their reports, here's what we know right now:

The Celtics are seeking Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and at least one future first-round pick in return for Garnett and Rivers. They're also insisting the Clippers take on the contract of either Jason Terry or Courtney Lee.
The Clippers are reluctant to give up Bledsoe, in large measure because of his value for other potential swaps, perhaps a sign-and-trade for Dwight Howard. Still, a source tells Turner that a swap of Bledsoe and Blake Griffin for Howard won't happen.
An executive told Turner that the Clippers appear to be holding up the deal, while the Celtics want to hurry it along, given Rivers' desire to coach the Clips.
If the Clippers do the deal, they'd follow by pursuing Paul Pierce. The Celtics may waive Pierce by June 30th to prevent his $15.3MM contract, which is partially guaranteed for $5MM until that date, from becoming fully guaranteed.
Clippers owner Donald Sterling is willing to give Rivers a three-year deal worth about $6MM per year, or about $1MM less annually than what Rivers would make with the Celtics.
The Celtics are prepared to bring Rivers back as their coach if no deal is reached with the Clippers. Garnett, like Rivers, has yet to commit to playing next season, but the chance of him doing so would be significantly enhanced if Pierce is back with the Celtics as well.
If the trade doesn't happen by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Clippers will choose between Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw for their next coach. Of the two, Hollins is the front-runner, but both are also in the mix for the Nuggets job.

Trade Rumors: Howard, Griffin, Bledsoe

June 15th, 2013 at 7:50pm CST by Spencer Lund

With the Celtics' Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett trade to the Clippers losing steam for now, Sam Amick writes at USA Today that the Clippers were reluctant to part with third-year guard Eric Bledsoe because he could be used in a possible trade for the Lakers' Dwight Howard.

The trade would involve Blake Griffin and Bledsoe for Howard, but many have already weighed in and said the Lakers are still looking to re-sign Howard and have not discussed a deal with the Clippers just yet. Here are some of the reports about a possible Dwight-Griffin/Bledsoe exchange:

Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com hears from a Lakers team source that the Lakers have not even broached the possibility of trading Dwight to the Clippers with in-house discussions yet (Twitter).
An NBA executive told Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times that the Lakers will either sign Howard or let him walk to save cap space for next summer (Twitter).
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that the Lakers have resisted overtures from the Clippers to a sign-and-trade for Howard, with his source claiming the Lakers "will never do it" (Twitter).
ESPNLosAngeles.com scribe, Arash Markazi, says he can't see the Clippers trading Griffin anywhere, let alone to the Lakers (Twitter).
ESPN.com's J.A. Adande says that if Howard thinks the Clippers are his best option to stay in LA, then he has to realize how much "90% of the city would hate him" (Twitter).