Blake Griffin could be in the Denver Nuggets' radar as the team looks for a proven star to lead a core of young talented players.
The Nuggets have a promising core of young prospects that should excite the team's fans this season, but the team is still considerably lacking the star power that would turn the franchise into contenders again. Blake Holmes of NuggLove, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, believes Griffin fits the role as the star presence the Nuggets have been longing for.
In Holmes' blockbuster trade scenario, the Clippers would send Griffin and a 2018 first round draft pick for Kenneth Faried, Will Barton, Danilo Gallinari and a 2017 first round draft pick.
"Ever since entering the league out of Oklahoma, Griffin has been one of the main faces of the Los Angeles Clippers, and would be that star player that the Nuggets long for," Holmes wrote.
"Considering the star power and talent that Griffin possesses, the Nuggets would have to give up quite a bit to get him."
Griffin's presence would give the Nuggets not only a proven veteran, but also an offensive threat inside the paint. With his improved outside shooting, Griffin, who has career averages of 21.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, could also become a stretch-four for the Nuggets, giving the likes of Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic enough space to operate down low.
Faried, on the other hand, gives the Clippers another athletic forward, whose game fits an up-tempo offense. Faried, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, could bring up spacing issues, but Gallinari and Barton's presence should cover up any of Faried's in-game flaws.
It is unclear whether the Clippers would entertain such deal, but it would be wise for Los Angeles to consider trading Griffin, who could become a free agent in 2017. With no contract extension guaranteed, any deal for Griffin would likely turn out as a one-year rental.
Nevertheless, if the Nuggets truly consider bringing Griffin to Mile High City, a package consisting of Faried, Gallinari and Barton would probably entice the Clippers to move on from the All-Star forward.