Blake Griffin trade rumors: 5 trade possible destinations
By John Buhler
38. . East. Southeast. Orlando Magic. 5. player
The Orlando Magic are an up-and-coming team under new head coach Scott Skiles. While the Magic are only 22-28 on the year and are probably not going to make the Eastern Conference Playoffs, this team does play hard for Skiles. Orlando is close to getting back into the playoff mix in the East, as it just needs one superstar player.
Orlando could offer any number of its young and talented role players, along with a future draft pick or two for the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star power forward Blake Griffin. Orlando is at its best when it has a dominant big man on its roster (Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard). While neither O’Neal or Howard ever won an NBA Championship in Central Florida, Griffin could emerge as the star player for an on the rise Magic team in the back half of his NBA prime.
The path to an NBA Finals is much easier in the East, as Griffin wouldn’t have to deal with Golden State, San Antonio, or Oklahoma City Thunder annually. He’d be the biggest star in Florida since LeBron James and would give the Magic instant credibility entering the 2016-17 NBA season.
Griffin wouldn’t have to play during another down year for the Magic in 2015-16 while he recovers from his broken hand. He would play in a state that doesn’t have an income tax and in a Southeast Division that pretty much lacks a superstar. It’s not the big market Griffin would probably prefer to play in, but he’ll have an easier time playing for a Conference Finals caliber team in the East than if he were to stay with the Clippers in the West.
In return, the Clippers could get probably any two of the Magic’s top five players and perhaps a future unprotected first round pick to sweeten the deal. Los Angeles needs help out on the wing at small forward. Either Tobias Harris or Evan Fournier would probably have to be in his package to send Griffin to Orlando at the NBA trade deadline.
Next: 4. Minnesota Timberwolves