The NBA trade rumors continue even as Doc Rivers has issued multiple denials.
The trade rumors started as the media had a field day on Blake Griffin's punching incident. Griffin is one of the top players in the NBA today, and if healthy, he is a legitimate MVP candidate.
Many teams saw this as an opportunity to grab a franchise player, especially since the Clippers have championship aspirations and his injury presents a problem for them this season.
In an effort to stay competitive in Griffin's absence, a trade with the Chicago Bulls was suggested.
According to Sportrageous, the Clippers should trade Blake Griffin for Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson to the Chicago Bulls.
For the Clippers, "Pau Gasol can start alongside DeAndre Jordan and can actually teach the latter to hit some free throws. Or Gasol can come off the bench and the Clippers start with a Jordan-Gibson frontcourt- instantly one of the scariest defensive tandems down low," as Sportrageous suggests.
The Bulls will have a new franchise player and will still keep Jimmy Butler. Because of Gasol's status as a possible free agent, they may need to add some draft picks.
The rumor was shot down by Yibada, saying it was highly unlikely.
"While the 35-year old Gasol (16.9 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 2.0 bpg) and 30-year old Gibson (8.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 1.1) are still producing great numbers this season, they are simply not the kind of players the Clippers would want to get in exchange for the 26-year old Griffin (23.2 ppg and 8.7 rpg)," the Yibada report stated. "Doc Rivers would be crucified by his boss, if he ever accepts this deal."
Griffin is the reason why the franchise has become relevant again so they need to acquire someone of the same caliber if they trade him. Gasol and Gibson are nowhere near that, not to mention they are both older than Griffin. It is likely that the Clippers could get better offers for Blake.
