The Los Angeles Clippers are known as one of the NBA's elite teams over the past few years. They reached the playoffs in five straight years. However the highest that they've got during the five-year playoff run is in the semifinals which they did three times.
Injuries from their main players prevented them from having a deep run in the NBA postseason. And just last season, they were the 4th seed in the West and face the Portland Trailblazers in the first round. But they were beaten by the Blazers in 6 games because of injuries from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
This season, the Los Angeles Clippers have a 14-5 win-loss record and currently third in the Western Conference. They actually held the top position in the West from quite some time. They started their first 16 games with a marvelous 14-2. But 3 straight losses in the hand of the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets made them stumble to third.
Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are still playing at a very high level of basketball. They are the main reason why the Clippers have a great start. Paul is averaging 17.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 2.8 steals in 31.5 minutes. Blake Griffin on the other hand, averages 21.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals on 48.7% shooting from the field, as per ESPN.
But after a great start, the Clippers are now lost three straight games. Is it a sign that the Clippers are falling apart or is it just a temporary setback that normally happens even to a great team.
Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will be free agents after this season. And this is probably the last chance that the Clippers might see the Big Three of Paul, Griffin and Jordan in a Clippers' uniform. If this season became a success, Paul and Griffin might re-sign with the Clippers. But if it doesn't, then we might see the two superstars playing elsewhere.
According to YIBADA, the Portland Trailblazers are interested in acquiring the services of Blake Griffin. And in exchange, the Blazers could give Maurice Harkless, Ed Davis or Mason Plumlee, and Allen Crabbe.
If Blake Griffin will play for the Blazers, he also has legitimate chance of winning an NBA championship. The Blazers are on the 8th spot in the West because of a lack of quality big man. And with Blake Griffin, that weakness will not be their weakness anymore.
Griffin is a proven scorer who could also rebound, pass and play defense. Griffin will also have a chance to play with another great point guard in Damian Lillard. The Blazers would probably be in the top 3 in the West if Griffin will play with them.
Will Blake Griffin play for the Blazers soon or will he continue to play in the Clippers uniform? As of now, no negotiations have been made by both teams. But when Griffin will be available in the free agency after this season, a possibility of the Blazers being one of the suitors to get Griffin is quite high.
