The Los Angeles Clippers could be could explore a sign-and-trade transaction that would send Blake Griffin to the OKC Thunder for Kevin Durant, according to the latest NBA rumors.
NBA analyst David Aldridge and Ayo Salami discussed a potential swap of power forwards that would take Durant to Los Angeles in exchange for Griffin.
Salami started the discussions with a "hypothetical situation" of KD being partnered to Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan, while Griffin playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. According to Aldridge, such trade scenario could work on the floor for both teams, but he noted that the salary computations should work.
"If Durant gets the expected raise from his current $20.1 million salary to a max deal starting at around $25 million, that would allow the Thunder and Clippers to do a sign-and-trade deal involving Durant and Griffin, who'll make $20 million next season," Aldridge wrote.
"But, the team that would take Durant in a sign-and-trade -- in your scenario, the Clips -- cannot be more than $4 million above the luxury tax limit (known as the "apron") after taking him."
Durant, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has been linked to several teams that could possibly chase him this summer. While the two-time scoring champion has been reportedly seeking to play for a team that could instantly win a championship, the Clippers seem to offer Durant a shot for an NBA title as he could instantly catapult the team as a top contender.
"When you get an opportunity to choose your environment, you want to be stable, you always want to have good people around you, and you always want to work with great people," Durant said, reports the Boston Globe.
"And that's how it is in Oklahoma City. Just great people, great working environment, great living. Sometimes with your spirit and your energy, you can dictate your environment for yourself, and I think I have that ability to improve wherever I go."
Meanwhile, Griffin was heavily linked to trade talks before the Feb. 18 deadline following the All-Star forward's involvement in an incident that led to a broken right hand. Despite several good offers from NBA rivals, the Clippers were able to keep hold of Griffin, who is expected to return next month, reports the OC Register.
But according to Sirius XM NBA, there is a chance that Griffin gets traded this summer.
There are no confirmed interests from the Clippers and Thunder for a possible Durant and Griffin sign-and-trade, but anything can happen once the trading season begins.