NBA rumors: 5 contenders that should add Blake Griffin

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis’ Achilles injury makes finding some sort of scoring punch an absolute priority for Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s easier said than done given their cap situation, but if Griffin is available on the waiver market on an affordable contract, they can afford him as long as they waive someone on the end of the rotation.

Davis is out at least 2-3 weeks, at which time he’ll be reevaluated by team doctors. That could lead to an extended absence if his injury hasn’t fully healed, obviously. Signing a player of Griffin’s caliber would allow the Lakers to take thing slow with Davis, who has a complicated injury history of his own. Griffin joining the starting five would push Montrezl Harrell back to the bench unit, where he’s truly at his best as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Harrell has stepped in admirably in Davis’ absence, but pushing him up the depth chart takes away from what had been a fairly dangerous second unit for Frank Vogel.

From Griffin’s perspective, this is a chance to return home without rekindling things with the Clippers. Maybe that’s drama he’d rather put behind him anyway, but Griffin must see the Lakers’ championship pedigree as a situation he’d like to join.