Should Clippers Trade Griffin or Jordan?

Should Clips trade Blake or Deandre if things don’t work out this year?

The simple answer to this question is yes. No doubt about it. If the Clippers fail again this season, one of these guys has to be shipped out. Many people may disagree with me, but if this team can’t make it all the way, they have to break it up. If they get bounced before the Western Conference Finals this season, its over for lob city. Don’t get me wrong I believe both Deandre Jordan and Blake Griffin are great players. However, if the Clippers don’t reach expectations, Chris Paul is going to get frustrated with the way this team is headed. Personally, I don’t think they are a championship team. They have an extremely deep team but they don’t have an offensive prescence down low with Blake and Deandre. The question is which one should be shipped out?

Case for Deandre Jordan (has 2yr/approx $22 mil left):

The Clippers and Doc Rivers have very high expectations from Deandre Jordan going forward. He is expected to be an elite defender, which he has the potential to be. He’s a strong guy and has a very big wingspan. Deandre has shown how he can block players from behind, but they should not get behind him in the first place. If Deandre can stick with his man and play better help defense, he can be a potential Defensive Player of the Year. Now his offensive game needs to improve as well. We all know he can throw it down, but he needs to do more than that. He’s not a great post up player and is absolutely atrocious from the free throw line. 38% is simply not acceptable as an NBA player. It’s worse than even Dwight Howard. For that reason he cannot be played in the final five minutes of a basketball game which is a major liability. If Deandre cannot improve primarily his free throws, he should be traded, if not by the deadline, then after the season concludes.

Case for Blake Griffin (has 5yr/approx $95 mil left):

Blake Griffin, where do I start? Blake has failed to impress me throughout his career thus far. First of all his offensive game is extremely limited. He can’t shoot a mid range shot. He can’t shoot freethrows, although better than Deandre Jordan. He can’t post up and he is soft. Much like Deandre, Blake is primarily a dunker. Blake says he has been working on his midrange shot, and he has increased the amount of midrangers he attempts, but they still don’t go in. His freethrows are very streaky as he is a 61% career free throw shooter. Much like Deandre, this makes it tough to play him down the stretch of a game. As for his post game, I’m not sure if he just doesn’t like to post up or he doesn’t have any post moves, but he needs to improve it. As Bill Simmons said, “I’m dumbfounded by this Lakers game. Blake Griffin can’t post up Wesley Johnson? What did he do all summmer?” Keep in mind Blake Griffin is three inches taller and 45 pounds heavier than Wesley Johnson. I may be a little hard on Blake Griffin but I’m just not sold on him. He is a fantastic passer for the PF, a great rebounder, and obviously very explosive, though. Plus, the Clippers would be able to get more in a trade for Blake Griffin. Here are a couple trades that I would like to see.

Courtesy: ESPN NBA Trade Machine

This first trade is with the Boston Celtics. Los Angeles would get, expiring $12 million contract of Kris Humphries, Jared Sullinger, Marshon Brooks, and the Celtics would have to throw in a draft pick. This trade would only happen if the Clippers implode by the trade deadline and are desperate to make a move. This trade is great for both teams as the Clippers get Jared Sullinger who proved last season, before getting injured, he is an outstanding rebounder and passer at only 6’ 9”. He also has potential in the post, entering only his sophomore year. Sullinger is a great young player as is Marshon Brooks who the Clippers would also receive in this trade. Brooks’ rookie season was a shock to Nets fans as he proved he can score. Unfortunately he got buried in the lineup because he is a below average defender. Kris Humphries is key to this trade as well, not only because of the $12 million salary, but because it is an expiring contract. This gives the Clippers more flexibility going forward. Additionally, the Clippers could get a draft pick or two from a weak Celtics team who are likely to be in the lottery this season.

Courtesy: ESPN NBA Trade Machine

This is a trade that would mix up the Western Conference drastically with Kevin Love and JJ Barea headed to Los Angeles for Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford. Of course the Timberwolves would have to believe that Kevin Love will be leaving once his contract is up. This would possibly be one of the best trades the Timberwolves could receive. Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio would be dominant, and throw in Jamal Crawford off the bench rather than JJ Barea, that’s a solid team. With this the T-wolves would be able to stay somewhat relevant after losing their all-star Kevin Love. Plus Deandre Jordan would be a perfect complement to Kevin Love, who can spread the floor. The Clippers would instantly be favorites in the Western Conference and possibly a favorite to win the title with this trade.

Courtesy: ESPN NBA Trade Machine

There have been reports that Lamarcus Aldridge wants out of Portland if they continue to be a mediocre team. This brings us to a Blake Griffin for Aldridge trade that would be exciting for each team. Blake Griffin in Portland would be great as the Portland crowd is very intense when playing at home. The high flying Griffin and PG Damian Lillard would be a dynamic duo. Aldridge in Los Angeles would possibly put the Clippers as title favorites behind the Heat going forward because of how deadly he is in the post. Lamarcus Aldridge is an all-star and his face-up/post-up game is unbelievable. This would probably be the best deal the Blazers would get for Aldridge since current title contenders will not want to break up their core too much in a trade. The biggest threat to this trade would be the Chicago Bulls trying to steal Aldridge as previously reported.

Bottom line, the Clippers would be able to get more for Blake Griffin. There are many teams that he would fit in better with than the Clippers. The Clippers just cannot win a title with Deandre and Blake in their front court. They are too similar of players. The Clippers need a post-up guy that can get doubled on the block leading to easy kick outs for threes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Blake Griffin in another uniform next season if the Clippers are an early exit once again.

~Credits to NBA.com, Hoopsworld.com and Bill Simmons’ Twitter~