Report: Celtics targeting Blake Griffin, expected to make ‘major deal’

The Celtics were unable to lure Kevin Durant to Boston even after signing free agent big man Al Horford, but that does not mean they are done trying to land superstar players.

Sean Deveney of Sporting News is reporting that front office executives at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas expect that the Celtics will make a “major deal” before the season. The most likely target for Boston appears to be Blake Griffin.

According to Deveney, there has been talk of a three-team deal that would send Griffin to Boston and Rudy Gay from the Sacramento Kings to the Clippers. In that scenario, the Kings would likely get one or more draft picks from the stockpile the Celtics have amassed in recent years. Boston owns the Brooklyn Nets’ first-round pick in each of the next two drafts, though they are trying to work out deals without giving those valuable picks up.

The Clippers are said to want a superstar player — does Gay qualify? — in addition to draft picks if they give up Griffin.

A previous report claimed the Oklahoma City Thunder could trade Russell Westbrook before the season and Boston is the most likely destination for him. If you heard what Westbrook said to campers at his basketball camp, you’ll get a better idea of how he wants the public to view his impending free agency decision.

Even if the Celtics don’t end up landing Griffin or Westbrook, it seems clear that they are intent on making another big splash this offseason.