Lakers Rumors: Blake Griffin wants to switch L.A. jersey
By Asha Doucet
If the Los Angeles Clippers miss out on the Western Conference Finals yet again, Blake Griffin has reportedly considered switching locker rooms at Staples Center.
Every year since the beginning of time, the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to the biggest names in free agency. Despite four consecutive years without playoff basketball, the Lakers rumors have not cooled down.
This time the player linked to the Lakers is All-Star Blake Griffin of their in-city rival the Los Angeles Clippers. Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report wrote about the potential move which sparked the Griffin-Lakers rumors. It may be that the star forward is ready to move on from the Clippers due to the lack of their playoff success.
Every year the Clippers manage to be one of the better teams in the NBA but come postseason they always fall well short of expectations. Be it due to injury, or choking away a 3-1 lead, the Clips just can’t get over the hump. The window that seemed wide open for them just a few years ago, looks to all but have closed due to the stability of the San Antonio Spurs, the rise of the Golden State Warriors and now, the birth of the Houston Rockets as a title contender.
The chances of Blake joining the Lakers are slim despite the noise that he’s ready to leave his current team. They’re especially slim when taking into account teams in win-now mode that could woo him like the Boston Celtics.
However, Griffin could be swayed to switch uniforms but stay in Los Angeles because of the marketing power the city has. As we know, Griffin loves the camera and is a natural on the screen. Ding discusses Griffin’s desire to be around the entertainment industry as well as other potential landing spots for him:
"“More and more people around the league believe he would be open to a fresh start—perhaps with the Lakers or the Boston Celtics, who have coveted Griffin for years and would offer a new chance to win. The most intriguing fit might be if he were to go home to Oklahoma to join Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, but his interests in the entertainment industry make staying in Los Angeles a priority.”"
If the Lakers keep their high draft pick and trade for an established star that could boost their chances of grabbing Griffin. Another scenario for the Lakers to land Griffin would be keeping their top-three protected draft pick and managing to attract another star in free agency to join him. But the Lakers’ recent free agency signings don’t exactly inspire much faith in that possibility. However, with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka in tow, maybe the team’s free agency woes end this summer.
Of course, the Lakers have to take into account if Griffin would even be a good fit for them. He may be considering switching teams that play at the Staples Center, but are the Lakers considering him? One could assume the Lakers will take any true star they can their hands on, but as Julius Randle develops more and more, it might not be wise to get rid of him or move him to the bench in favor of Griffin. As for now, we have to wait and see how the Clippers’ season ends and if Griffin actually intends to part ways with them. Until then I wouldn’t put too much stock in the rumors.
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Do you think Blake Griffin is seriously considering joining the Lakers? If so, would it be wise for the Lakers to consider him with Julius Randle on the roster? Let us know in the comments below.