Brandon Apter (@bapter23), Managing Editor
Clippers forward Blake Griffin is currently sidelined with a broken hand after punching one of the teams' equipment managers. The NBA has yet to dish out any punishment for him and the incident hasn't kept his name out of trade winds either as league sources have indicated that two teams have talked to LA about Griffin, including the Philadelphia 76ers.
Both Sixers and Nuggets have had discussions with Clippers about Blake Griffin, per league sources. @sn_nba earlier reported Nuggets talks.
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 5, 2016
Though the Sixers already have Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, the potential of a Blake Griffin deal could not only add veteran leadership, but give them a proven commodity in the post, thus making it a little easier to part ways with one of their two young big men if they choose. To this point, Philadelphia hasn't been able to get Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor to co-exist on the court together effectively, so a possible trade for one of the NBA's best power forwards could prove intriguing for Jerry Colangelo, Sam Hinkie and the rest of Sixers management.
Earlier this week, Sixerdelphia contributor Mike Klein wrote about the possibility of a Blake Griffin trade involving the Sixers and proposed this deal:
Sixers receive: Blake Griffin
Clippers receive: Jahlil Okafor, the Lakers first round pick (top 3 protected), and the Thunder’s first round pick (top 15 protected)
While it seems very unlikely the Sixers would part ways with two of their four potential first round picks to acquire Griffin, the fact that they inquired about him is very interesting in itself. Nerlens Noel could also be discussed, but his defensive ability might be more appealing to the Sixers, especially with the offensive upside Griffin brings into the picture.
Before getting injured this season, Griffin, 27, was averaging 23.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the Clippers, who currently have a 32-17 record, good for fourth in the Western Conference. He has two years remaining on his contract.
