Chris Herring of Sports Illustrated shot down claims that he had tweeted on Twitter that Blake Griffin, a big man for the Boston Celtics, was about to
retire by quoting them and telling them “FOH” when they claimed Herring had done so.
“FOH,” Herring said of the allegation he reported that. “I’m on a beach somewhere; I didn’t report that.”
With James Harden and Damian Lillard’s trade situations still fluid — since the latter’s top destination, the Miami Heat, may not have the assets to
land him and the former is currently telling anyone who will listen that he won’t play for the Philadelphia 76ers — the league is very much in a
transaction standstill. Griffin figures to be one of the very last dominoes to fall, with his role now more of a locker-room presence than a big-time
producer on the floor.
Boston Celtics free agent suggested for historical rival
Griffin cut his teeth with the Los Angeles Clippers through the first nine years of his NBA career but was traded unexpectedly and likely has
unresolved issues with Steve Balmer’s franchise. A return to Tinseltown is apparently in the cards, but not the Clippers — rather, the Los Angeles
Lakers were floated as an option with one executive telling NBA Analysis Network’s Evan Massey that the purple and gold are the best fit.
“An NBA executive told Evan Massey of NBA Analysis Network that the Los Angeles Lakers should sign Blake Griffin, who is an unrestricted free
agent,” Massey wrote. “‘Blake Griffin is still out there and I think his best fit is the Lakers,’ the NBA exec said. ‘He would be a perfect depth addition
for L.A.’”
Jumping to the Lakers would not be the most popular move for the former NBA Slam Dunk champion around these parts, but a veteran like Griffin
has done enough in this league to dictate where he finishes what started out as a Hall of Fame-caliber career.
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Boston Celtics can explore adding ex-college player of the year in training camp
The Boston Celtics can explore adding ex-National college player of the year Frank Kaminsky, a long-time target of the franchise, in the later portion
of training camp according to NESN’s Keagan Stiefel.
“Frank Kaminsky might not necessarily be a sexy name (in more ways than one), but he feels like the kind of guy who could be added at some point
over the later portion of training camp,” Stiefel prefaced before saying, “The 30-year-old shot 39.4% from three-point range in 2023, and at 7-feet tall
he can guard the forward and center positions. Like we said, no one is going to jump for joy if this is the signing, but he’s more than capable of filling
in minutes.” Per Encestando’s Moshe Barda, Kaminsky has overseas interest.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv, in fact, appears to be interested in bringing to Europe the 8-year NBA player Frank Kaminsky, who has never played overseas
before,” Barda prefaced before saying, “The 30-year-old center with Polish and Serbian ancestry started the 2022-23 season with the Hawks, being
traded to the Houston Rockets as part of the deal that sent Bruno Fernando and Garrison Mathews to Atlanta.”
Luke Kornet could provide stability in the Boston Celtics’ frontcourt
Luke Kornet has stuck for several seasons now on the Boston Celtics, making him one of the most reliable options in the frontcourt from a durability
standpoint. The presence of the Vanderbilt product could make Kaminsky a redundant signing, and it could buoy the big-man rotation if Kristaps
Porzingis’ Plantar fasciitis keeps him out for an extended period of time.
Alternatively, Blake Griffin could be a familiar face worth reuniting with. Stiefel listed both the 34-year-old six-time All-Star and Dallas Mavericks
free agent big man Christian Wood as his other options.
Kornet won’t have his contract guaranteed until January 10, 2024, so if the Celtics were to pursue any of the aforementioned free-agent targets, Brad
Stevens and Co. could cut bait with the 28-year-old at a minimal financial penalty.
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