Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin. (Photo : Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue as only the four Conference Finalists remain standing.
The rest of the teams have to go back to the drawing board and the Houston Rockets have a lot to work on. On the other hand, Conference Rivals LA Clippers are taking the cautious route after injuries cut their season short.
President of Basketball Operations Glenn 'Doc' Rivers has aired his preference to keep the core of his team together, specifically his "Big Three" of Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. He reiterated this in his latest interview with Zach Lowe of ESPN but it did show a slight opening.
Lowe asked Rivers on whether declaring that he won't trade his core players "boxes him into a corner" this offseason.
"I don't worry about the corner thing, ever," Rivers said. "I'm always gonna do what's good for the team. You don't ever do anything but that. But I feel like the best thing for the team right now is to keep them together. Can that change? Of course it can change. But I don't think it will."
Rivers reiterates his distinguished position of authority-wearing both the GM and coach's hat as only a handful of NBA executives do. He also reserved the right to change his mind and the belief is that Rivers could deal if he was given the right offer.
On that end, Sean Deveney of Sporting News revealed that Blake Griffin is on the radar of the Houston Rockets who are desperate to land a star to pair with James Harden with the imminent departure of Dwight Howard.
"A person familiar with the organization told Sporting News that landing Hawks star Al Horford is the Rockets' top-line goal in free agency, and Ryan Anderson also would be a possibility. Also, expect [Daryl] Morey to be creative when pursuing sign-and-trade deals involving star players like Blake Griffin, Jimmy Butler or Carmelo Anthony, should they become available."
Glancing through the Rockets roster, there are a lot of restricted free agents at the power forward spot like Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas. The Rockets can work a sign-and-trade agreement(as they are restricted free agents) and send one or both of them to the LA Clippers.
Another package of players who are actually on ongoing contracts could center on Trevor Ariza and guard KJ McDaniels if the Clippers are agreeable with absorbing their contracts. Throwing in Sam Dekker or Motrezl Harrell and possible draft picks may be necessary.
