Report: Celtics have talked with Clippers about Griffin

While Los Angeles Clippers GM/head coach Doc Rivers shot down the same trade rumors months ago, another report Monday indicated that he has since had talks with the Boston Celtics regarding Blake Griffin. The two teams have "talked intermittently" but a deal is "extremely unlikely," sources told ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Rivers said last July that the Clippers had no interest in trading Griffin, blaming basketball bloggers for promulgating the idea. In the latest incarnation of rumor, the Clippers would be looking for a package including Jae Crowder, draft picks, and one of the Celtics' backcourt players such as Marcus Smart or Avery Bradley, per Lowe's sources.

The Clippers merit watching, as both Griffin and point guard Chris Paul are expected to become unrestricted free agents this summer through early termination options in their contracts. If the Celtics were interested in trading for Griffin, they would presumably want to talk to him about a long-term extension, something they'd need the Clippers' permission to do beforehand. The flip side is Boston could also preserve their assets for now and simply try to make a run at the five-time All-Star power forward in free agency.

While sidelined by injuries for parts of the last three years, few would disagree that the 27-year-old Griffin has been a top-10 NBA player when healthy. In 36 games this season, he's averaging 21.9 points, 8.8 boards, and five assists.