Tobias Harris (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
There is a possibility that the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers would strike a deal with each other before the Feb. 18 trade deadline.
The Clippers have been involved in several trade talks earlier this season due to the team's inconsistency. But the team is well over trade discussions after they deal Josh Smith back to the Houston Rockets for cash considerations and the draft rights to Maarty Leunen.
However, trade rumors sparked again centering Blake Griffin, who was handed down a four-game suspension after punching a team staff, according to CBS Sports.
While the Clippers have insisted that Griffin will not be for sale, it would not stop speculations from buzzing around the league about a possible deal involving the All-Star forward.
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Magic were one of several teams attempting to push a trade with the Clippers before the deadline mark. Kyler also revealed that Magic forward Tobias Harris is the "big salary in the deal" Orlando is proposing.
"The Magic were one of several teams to try and engage with the Los Angeles Clippers on a Blake Griffin deal. Sources close to the situation say the conversation didn't get incredibly far, but there was a serious conversation believed to be centered around three Magic players heading to L.A. - with Tobias Harris being the big salary in the deal," Kyler noted.
Harris is arguably the player who could bring the Magic a significant return in a trade.
Harris has plenty of upside and is only 23 years old. His average of 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season may be far from Griffin's monster output of 23.2 points and 8.7 per contest, but he would still fit well in Rivers' playbook and can be maximized by Chris Paul's playmaking ability.
It is also worth noting that the Clippers have won 18 of their last 23 games without Griffin in the lineup. The Clippers also managed a nine-game winning streak, their longest this season, on Griffin's absence, making him somewhat expendable in the sights of fans and pundits.
Griffin would provide an All-Star caliber player and playoff experience to the Magic, who has a slim chance of making the postseason with a 23-29 record at 11th place in the East.
ESPN's trade machine approved a straight swap of Harris for Griffin, although if such deal materializes, the Clippers would probably want a player with an expiring contract and another quality asset to level Griffin's worth.
The Clippers may not have any intentions of dealing Griffin this season, but they certainly need a slight upgrade if they want a shot at the NBA title.
