Los Angeles Clippers trade rumors 2016: Blake Griffin leaving before trade deadline following off court altercation?

Josh Smith and Blake GriffinReuters

Lob City may have renovations soon with its roster, as Los Angeles Clippers star forward Blake Griffin is now part of the trade rumor mill following a heated argument with Matias Testi, the team's assistant equipment manager. 

Griffin and Testi, who are close friends, had an altercation in Toronto last week which led to the Clippers star injuring his hand after punching Testi twice. 

The injury is another setback for Griffin, who on Christmas Day suffered a quadriceps injury in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Before the altercation with Testi, Griffin's injured quadriceps already sidelined him. Now, the broken hand keeps him on the shelf for a while longer. 

The Clippers organization and head coach Doc Rivers already expressed disappointment with the incident. 

Because of what happened, The Inquisitr reported that rumors regarding Griffin leaving Lob City before the National Basketball Association's (NBA) trade deadline on Feb. 18 started to circulate. 

According to Sports Illustrated's Fansided (Los Angeles Sports Hub), one team that has Griffin on its radar is the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The report added that Griffin playing for the Lakers will benefit rising stars like forward Julius Randle and 2015 second-overall pick point guard D'Angelo Russell. 

Griffin's veteran experience will also be of big help to Lakers head coach Byron Scott in the franchise's rebuilding phase, the report also mentioned. 

Despite missing action since Christmas Day, the 26-year-old former slam dunk champion's average of 23.2 points per game still leads the Clippers in scoring. 

Along with his offensive production, Griffin is also having 8.7 rebounds and five assists in 34.9 minutes played per game. 

The trade rumors surrounding Griffin are not stopping, especially after the fight with Testi, but the Clippers are expected to keep the explosive forward and maintain their core of him, All-Star point guard Chris Paul and center DeAndre Jordan.