I am not sure I would make this trade, but I would consider it, due to Yao's health issues. It would have to be something like Camby + number 1 pick for Yao. Also, I think Blake Griffin is going to be an all time player.... So, would you make the trade of Yao for the number 1 pick? And this poll is meant as fun, let's try not to turn it into a bash anyone fest. Pros: - We get a young athletic PF whose skill set is off the charts Cons: - We lose the hardest working big man in the league The only way this is even plausible would be because of Yao's injury history. DD
Nope. Blake Griffin will be good.. But we already have a great PF tandem. We would be creating a hole at the C position by trading for him. And like I said RIGHT NOW, our PF tandem is better than Blake Griffin. So right now no, in 2-3 years, most likely.
No. From an owner's perspective, Yao is too much of a marketer's dream, irregardless of how he plays. There's no way that Les will trade him. He has to find a way to bring the best pieces around him to win. The team is already structured around Yao.
What if you traded Yao for Camby and the number 1 pick? That is the kind of trade you would have to make for it to work under the cap. DD
i voted yes. although it remains to be seen how many of griffin's potential advantages really come through. how will he work? how will he improve? how will he shoot free throws? will he develop a 10-15 foot shot? how will he rebound against the much more physical NBA 4s and 5s? all that set aside, I still voted yes though, for the following reasons: yao would have been the prototypical big man for the NBA of the 1980s and 1990s. griffin is the prototypical big man (if he pans out as expected) of the 2000s+ NBA. the rules, the pace, the guard dominated offenses, the need for end-to-end and transition play due to the sophistication of modern defenses, the off-ball doubling and zones all hamper a team's ability to use a traditional back to the basket center. couple that with yao's injury history and future outlook, and i'd say that if you could handle the financial implications of that trade, it would be smart. in my opinion.
Yao will be a free agent next summer. If it' only one year rental, the clippers won't do that. Yao has refused twice to extend his contract. He can anywhere he wants next summer.
I think You said we are very close to win it all. If that's true there's no point to rebuild and bet on a unproven player.
For just Griffin .. NO WAY. Now Griffin, a backup C, and a high draft pick. then I would listen. But Les would not trade his golden goose, so its a moot point.
You're correct. Griffin is not a good defender either and at best can handle 4's if he improves on that end. If it wasn't for Yao's ankle and feet problems,I wouldn't think about it.
