NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors Announce Blake Griffin Trade; DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry Work Out with Clippers Star

By Mitch de Leon
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Blake Griffin sidelined for two weeks due to torn quadriceps tendon.  Flickr.com/keithallison

The Toronto Raptors are gearing up to try their luck to unseat the Cleveland Cavaliers as kings of the Eastern Conference. Following their successful stint in the Rio Olympics 2016, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are said to be looking into forming a super team of their own. With this in mind, fans of the Toronto Raptors expect a Blake Griffin trade this NBA offseason.

The Los Angeles Clippers have once again failed to perform up their standards last season. This caused a number of supporters to assume that the DeAndre Jordan squad will be broken up to regroup and review the direction of the team. Hence, it comes as no surprise that a Blake Griffin trade is being speculated to be up for grabs.

Blake Griffin barely made his presence known last NBA season both due to injuries and suspensions. While fans had been forgiving of his health concerns from hardwood court games, his additional injuries due to his off-court troubles displeased them. Moreover, his aberrations last NBA season reportedly cost the Los Angeles Clippers a lot of games.

"You have to be healthy," commented Blake Griffin. He added, "Guys have to be not just healthy like to where they can play or not, but healthy to play at 100 percent or close to 100 percent, because I don't think anybody's playing at 100 percent in the playoffs."

Will these be enough for the team to push through with a Blake Griffin trade?

The answer appears to be in the negative. At this point, the Los Angeles Clippers are still adamant on their belief that Blake Griffin along with DeAndre Jordan and Paul Pierce can carry the NBA team to the championship - a feat that would have them face the likes of the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Hence, the Blake Griffin trade rumors remain unfounded. However, some fans still believe that the All-Star should be traded if the Los Angeles Clippers hope to become a contender anytime soon.

As for the Toronto Raptors, both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan are anticipated to become fiercer competitors in the hardwood court this season. After their impressive performance in the Rio Olympics, the two leaders of the Toronto team are expected to lead the winning attitude in their group.

"Being able to be around 11 of the greatest players in the world, that you compete against all season (in the NBA), to be able to take that mentality, that winning mentality, and bring it home to Toronto, that fearlessness and knowing how to compete like that," shared DeMar DeRozan of his Olympics experience.

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