DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Love (Photo : Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics now have the attention of the entire league as they seem to have placed themselves in the best position to make a trade.
The recent spate of Blake Griffin rumors (details here) have shown that many teams are now taking a different stance.
According to Nolan Connor of Celtics Life, Blake Griffin could be the player with offcourt issues and that Celtics owner was referring to. Wyc Grousbeck said they were in negotiations with a star player whose price tag has lowered since draft night.
The Celtics also gained more leverage because they hold the Brooklyn Nets' first round picks in the next two years (2017 via pick swap and the Nets will likely be the higher pick). The Nets failed to make vast improvements in free agency and they also didn't have their first round pick this year.
The Sacramento Kings could actually consider trading Cousins if they realize that they could lose their chance at the Brooklyn picks if Boston trades for Griffin. They seem to have taken the Boston Celtics for granted.The Kings are obviously not contenders at this stage and could benefit from the lottery (possibly top 5 picks). Even Dan Lifshatz, Boston radio host who started the rumor, thinks Cousins could be in play.
Do not know other aspects of the deal. Celtics have also talked to Kings about Cousins, price is too high, but its possible as well
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 12, 2016
Just rephrasing a tweet, Celtics WOULD only get one of Cousins/Griffin. Neither are a certainty — Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) July 12, 2016
If Griffin was indeed involved in trade talks, it could mean that the Clippers are looking out for their future, quite a change from their win-now hardline stance where they hardly care about the draft.
It could be an effect of the Kevin Durant decision. As soon as Durant chose to join the Golden State Warriors, all the other teams' odds to win the title dropped. The Clippers were said to be at 16/1 but Vegas Insider now pegs them at 35/1. Also, Blake Griffin's status as a future free agent may have caused Doc Rivers to be wary.
Not even the Cleveland Cavaliers were immune to the drop, although 5/2 to 7/2 is not so bad. The Golden State Warriors are at the top with 2/3.
Which means the Cavs could also use some improvement. If the superstars are starting to move, that could be a cue for the Cleveland Cavaliers to consider trading Kevin Love. Despite Love playing a key role in the Cavs title run, the team could still improve if they get a "stretch five" who will not be a disadvantage against opposing centers as Love was.
This was not very evident in the NBA Finals because the Warriors lost Bogut and played small ball. But other teams in the East-the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and now the Boston Celtics have capable centers.
The Cavs could take part in a three-way trade sending Love to Boston and then trading the Nets' pick to get a player they need (Cousins, even Blake Griffin who has played stretch five at some points).
