With the looming possibility of
Carmelo Anthony departing New York as a free agent this summer,
New York Knicks officials have discussed proposing a trade for the
Los Angeles Clippers'
Blake Griffin, according to league sources.
Sources say Clippers management has also had internal discussions about such a deal but that the clubs have not yet spoken to one another about a potential trade.
As of now, neither team is certain of whether it would make an Anthony-for-Griffin trade, the sources said.
The Clippers appear to be the more apprehensive of the two teams because Griffin is having a terrific year, especially of late. The 24-year-old power forward has averaged 26 points and nearly 11 rebounds over his last 10 games.
One source close to the situation said the Clippers' latest internal discussion ended in favor of keeping Griffin. New York's top priority appears to be resigning Anthony to a long-term deal this offseason. But with the Knicks struggling badly and Anthony refusing to give assurances that he will return, the Knicks understand they must at least consider other options.
The Clippers are on the Knicks' radar because it is an open secret throughout the league that Anthony and the Clippers star point guard,
Chris Paul, have wanted to play together since 2010. That sentiment among the two players has not changed, according to sources.
If the Knicks decide to explore a trade for Anthony, he will have plenty of say as to where he goes because of his impending free agency. No club will offer anything of value for him without knowing he will re-sign with it this summer.
With Paul having recently signed a five-year, $107 million deal with the Clippers, Anthony, who has a home in Los Angeles, would almost certainly re-sign with the Clippers.
