NBA rumors: Stars not on the market

Danny Ainge has trade chips burning a hole in his pockets. As you may have noticed on this blog, there have been a few names bandied about in trade rumors related to the Celtics. However, at least for the moment, all is quiet on that front.

Various reports have emerged over the past few days indicating that several potential trade targets are not available right now. Here are a few of those reports:

Blake Griffin:

Per old friend Kevin O’Connor

There’s always a chance Griffin is dealt before then, but a league source told me trade talks involving Griffin have “calmed down.”

Also per Steve Kyler

Sources close to Griffin have been adamant that he is planning to re-sign in L.A. and that he’s not open to going anywhere. Clippers president and head coach Doc Rivers has mirrored that, saying he believes Griffin retires as a Clipper.

Russell Westbrook:

Nobody should be surprised by the fact that the Thunder intend to keep Westbrook around for the foreseeable future after he signed his recent extension. Per Kyler:

Sources close to the situation say the Thunder’s view on Westbrook is to see what he can do as the single focal point of the team and plan to keep the noise out of the equation until next summer.

Kyler also mentions Kevin Love, Paul Milsap, and Jimmy Butler as names to cross off your trade wish list... at least for now. I’m sure all of this will change by the trade deadline, if not sooner.