Kenneth Faried and Blake Griffin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers could consider trading Blake Griffin to the Denver Nuggets for a handful of assets in Kenneth Faried, Will Barton and Gary Harris.
The Clippers and Doc Rivers have consistently denied any move that would involve star forward Blake Griffin, who has been linked to several trade rumors in the past month. But despite the attempts of Rivers and the Clippers organization to cool down trade rumors surrounding Griffin, many teams are still expected to inquire about the services of the All-Star forward.
A handful of teams, including the Boston Celtics, have been touted as potential trade partners for Griffin. But another possible destination for Griffin could be the Denver Nuggets, who, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe, have been actively exploring the trade market for a deal that could involve Kenneth Faried.
The Nuggets have long been connected to trade talks with the Clippers back when Griffin was involved to an equipment manager fiasco, but LA's asking price was too high, a package that includes Nikola Jokic, Will Barton, Danilo Gallinari and Faried.
This offseason, the Nuggets could certainly revisit the trade talks and revise an offer that could pry out Griffin from the Clippers. According to Zach Mikash of Denver Stiffs, a fan site hosted by SB Nation, one deal that could work is sending Faried, Barton and Gary Harris to the Clippers for Griffin.
"This deal is right in the sweet spot as far as value is concerned," Mikash wrote.
"However, from the Nuggets point of view it leaves them precariously thin at the two guard position, basically depending on rookies Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley (who is still recovering from surgery on his leg) to man that spot."
While trading Barton and Harris does leave the Nuggets thin at the backcourt, their absence would give way to the development of Murray and Beasley. And with the team's frontcourt still intact, adding Griffin would give the Nuggets a bona fide All-Star they could partner with their core of young big men.
On the other hand, Faried would greatly benefit playing for the Clippers, with Chris Paul running the point. Faried, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds for the Nuggets last season, could get most of his shots off lob passes and fastbreak opportunities.
Barton and Harris' outside shooting would not only help space the floor for the Clippers, but could also free up Faried doing some damage inside the paint.
The Clippers are expected to keep hold of Griffin, but if teams like the Nuggets could come up with enticing deals, it is not too far-fetched to see Griffin playing for a different team before the start of the regular season.
