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NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics to trade for Blake Griffin

By Greg Patuto

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will there be a major deal done sending Blake Griffin to Boston? It remains very possible.

The Celtics won 48 games last season, earning themselves a fifth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

While hey didn’t go for the big names like Kevin Durant this summer, the Celtics had a very productive offseason. They added big-man Al Horford to a team that already includes players like Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas and Kelly Olynyk. Even though it was a good signing, Horford doesn’t make the Celtics championship contenders.

So what can? According to NBC Sports, a trade for Blake Griffin is a strong possibility.

Rumors have swirled about the Celtics making a big time move including Russell Westbrook but Griffin makes more sense. The Celtics are very guard heavy with names like Thomas, Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart. They lack size down low. Horford and Olynyk seem to be the only proven big men on their team.

Westbrook will be a free agent at the end of next season so it would make more sense for the Celtics to find a way to acquire Griffin then make a run at Westbrook next summer during free agency.

The way to do that would be a three-team deal including the Sacramento Kings sending Rudy Gay to the Clippers. Gay has requested a trade from the Kings and they would be wise to grant him that wish while he is still young and they can get something for him.

Chris Paul is set to be a free agent at the end of next season so the question is, will he stay in L.A? The Clippers are pegged as a top team in the West every season but struggle to get to the Conference finals consistently, let alone the NBA Finals. The Clippers need to find something to keep Paul on the squad.

Maybe adding Rudy Gay and getting rid of Blake Griffin is the key.

Griffin struggled with injuries during last season but succeeded when healthy. There is no doubt that he is a top power forward in the league and certainly one of the most athletic players overall. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning which the Clippers have not done so changes need to be made.

This deal would make sense for both sides, especially the Celtics who can take the next step if they make this work. A starting lineup of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Blake Griffin and Al Horford looks pretty scary to me, especially with Kelly Olynyk, Jaylen Brown, MArcus Smart and Amir Johnson coming off of the bench.

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