As the season nears its end, the rumors continue to fly and even for playoff bound teams, their time may be running out.
The LA Clippers was a fixture on the NBA playoffs for the last few years but they were just one step behind the juggernauts of the conference. That may have taken its toll and this season could be their last chance.
It will be one busy summer for the Clippers and depending on their playoff performance, the team could undergo a huge makeover. The rumor mill already has destinations for the two major players who are free agents and even coach/GM Doc Rivers could leave.
Marc Stein of ESPN floated this possibility: "There has been persistent chatter for weeks on the NBA's front-office grapevine that the Orlando Magic and Rivers will explore a reunion down the road."
Meanwhile, Blake Griffin has been the focus of Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report in his piece.
"That Griffin would also stay and reap the biggest payday he can seems likely, too-in theory. But more and more people around the league believe he would be open to a fresh start-perhaps with the Lakers or the Boston Celtics, who have coveted Griffin for years and would offer a new chance to win. The most intriguing fit might be if he were to go home to Oklahoma to join Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, but his interests in the entertainment industry make staying in Los Angeles a priority."
Those rumors are still highly speculative and the Clippers can still eradicate these possibilities with an extended playoff run-even a title run. However, the odds have definitely become slimmer as the Golden State Warriors have been winning even with the absence of Kevin Durant.
Teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz have been consistently good the entire season and even the Oklahoma City Thunder could make some noise behind an inspired MVP performance from Russell Westbrook.
Given all the obstacles, the Clippers remain a talented team with a lot of experience and urgency. They could still turn it around.
