NBA Rumors: Toronto Raptors Mull Over Blake Griffin Trade; Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan Recruit Clippers PF

By Mitch de Leon
3604630
Blake Griffin sidelined for two weeks due to torn quadriceps tendon.  Flickr.com/keithallison

The Toronto Raptors are considered very strong contenders against the Cleveland Cavaliers of LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving in the Eastern Conference. With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan carrying the NBA team in the 2016 playoffs, a lot of fans compared their performance to the then teammates Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, the Toronto Raptors still fell short in taking the crown from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hence, a Blake Griffin trade is said to be on its way to Toronto soon.

The NBA offseason is filled with Blake Griffin trade speculations which might send the Los Angeles Clippers star to different teams including the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. However, the most probable team at this point is said to be the Toronto Raptors. Given the salary cap space in the league, it looks like the DeMar DeRozan team could offer the best deal for the Los Angeles Clippers star.

The 27-year-old power forward has been with the DeAndre Jordan squad since his NBA debut in 2009. The top pick for the said NBA draft, Blake Griffin has been tagged as the franchise face of the Los Angeles Clippers since then. However, the recent NBA seasons appear to be giving the team second thoughts on the direction they are heading. That is, the Los Angeles Clippers might just opt to rebuild their roster to present better chances of beating the likes of the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

Consequently, rumors are rife that a Blake Griffin trade will soon be announced since the power forward is set to become a free agent. With the Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade situations in mind, the Los Angeles Clippers are said to be scrambling to find a good deal in exchange for the prized star. Among the NBA teams, the Toronto Raptors appear to be the most promising.

While the DeMar DeRozan team has yet to comment on the potential Blake Griffin trade, fans of the Toronto Raptors feel that the Los Angeles Clippers star would be a huge boost in their roster. Aside from bringing with an NBA All-Star level influence, the entry of the Oklahoma native in the Toronto locker room could add to the confidence of Kyle Lowry and his crew.

What do you think? Should the Los Angeles Clippers agree to a Blake Griffin trade before their time runs out and they face the same situation left by Kevin Durant in the OKC and Dwyane Wade in the Miami Heat? Should the Toronto Raptors splurge on their precious salary cap space to sign the power forward? Will a Blake Griffin trade boost the possibility of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan win over LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers?

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories