DeAndre Jordan (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers could be open to trading DeAndre Jordan instead of Blake Griffin, with the Denver Nuggets as the potential destination.
The Clippers have been dealing plenty of trade rumors, with Griffin likely to hit free agency in the summer of 2017. Griffin has been mentioned in several trade talks, including a potential swap for Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, which the Clippers attempted to explore before last season's trade deadline, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.
But recent trade scenarios suggest Griffin may not be the likely trade piece for the Clippers if ever they become interested in acquiring Faried from the Nuggets. According to Tim Hart of NuggLove, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, the Clippers could send DeAndre Jordan and JJ Redick to Denver for Faried and Danilo Gallinari.
"Their cap space is of the tightest in the NBA, and this deal would save them about $2 million. They would be giving up an All-Star in Jordan, and their best shooter in Reddick, which seems unrealistic. But still, the acquisition of Faried and Gallinari would apparently be worth it," Hart wrote.
There are many levels why this type of trade won't make any sense for both teams. Faried and Jordan plays the same type of game, only at a different position. Both are athletic and has the ability to finish at the rim, but Jordan's value is higher in terms of defense.
Presumptively, if Faried comes to Los Angeles and Griffin stays, it would create a logjam at the power forward spot and would possibly regress Faried into the second unit for most of the games.
Another point worth noting is the Nuggets still having a crowded frontcourt if they trade for Jordan. Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic are both promising talents, but any of their chances to develop into an elite big man in the league would be hindered with the presence of Jordan in Denver.
On the other hand, it also makes little sense for the Nuggets trading Gallinari for Redick. Such move would create a logjam in the Nuggets' backcourt rotation, with Will Barton, Gary Harris and Malik Beasley already set to man the shooting guard position.
At this point, it appears the Clippers would keep hold of Griffin, which means also keeping their core intact. But as for the Nuggets, it can only be a matter of time before they get to move Faried and some of their expendable pieces.
