Blake Griffin (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA trade rumors continue for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they seek to fill out the vacancy at their forward spot but they may have to temper down their expectations.
Oklahoma is home to one of the NBA's biggest stars but can pry away their prized player from the best team in the West? Blake Griffin is a hometown hero, probably the symbol for Oklahoma sports success but he is now showcasing his wares as the face of the LA Clippers.
Now that Kevin Durant has left OKC for California, the Thunder wants to return the favor by bringing back Blake when he hits free agency. Why not? They have a legitimate MVP contender in his prime to entice him. In contrast, Chris Paul is probably a season away from decline.
But Zach Lowe of ESPN had to deliver the harsh reality: Blake Griffin is probably not choosing his hometown team over his position with the LA Clippers. The top sports scribe narrates the woes of the Thunder in their pursuit of a second superstar to pair with Russell Westbrook.
"There is no sign Blake Griffin wants to come home, per several sources," Lowe said. "Extensions for Adams and Oladipo have Oklahoma City capped out this summer even if they slough off Kanter's deal; depending on what happens with Roberson in free agency, they might have to cut money from next season's payroll just to duck the luxury tax. It's unclear if they'll even have meaningful room in the summer of 2018."
While LeBron James famously left a championship club and his best pal in Miami to lift the Cleveland curse, he is more the exception than the rule. This summer, two attempts to try and bring a star to their hometown team ended disastrously. Kevin Durant and DeMar DeRozan snubbed the Washington Wizards and LA Lakers respectively. Oklahoma City may arrive at the same fate.
Lowe reports that the Thunder continues to pursue Rudy Gay as the consolation for their loss at the small forward spot. "They remain interested in bigger wings, including Rudy Gay, sources say, in part because such a player would slide everyone down to their intended spots: Oladipo to the bench, and Andre Roberson back to defending shooting guards."
Suggestions from Real GM include packages involving Kyle Singler and Cameron Payne. Payne is a lottery pick point guard that is seldom used with the Thunder and is remembered more for being Westbrook's dance partner. The Sacramento Kings lack point guard depth and this could be the break that he is looking for.
