Griff interview on the trade deadline, Zion and more.

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One of the teams you guys were linked to in the rumor mill was Atlanta, who were exploring trades for Dejounte Murray. How would you characterize those discussions?

Griffin: We definitely were trying to be opportunistic. A player of a caliber that you mentioned and the team you mentioned, you listen to those types of things. You try to get as much information as you can. At the same time, you don’t have to force a square peg into a round hole when you’re in the situation we are in. I think we wanted to listen and be willing to strike if it was the right opportunity. And we were mindful of the fact that we like our group if it wasn’t. In all those circumstances — there were many circumstances we were a part of that weren’t leaked to the media — there were several opportunities for us to potentially get better. I think we decided overall, the cost was much too high. We weren’t a team that felt like we had to do anything.

...What do you think about Zion (Williamson) and how much he has been able to play this season? Where do you think he is at, development-wise, at this point?

Griffin: I think we are really grateful that he has been able to grow and evolve in the way he has. I think our medical staff has done a really good job with him. I think he’s bought into what we are doing from a really high degree. It all starts with him — the work he is putting into it. The maturation in his approach has been enormous. We have talked a lot about this lately. Once that match gets lit, from a maturation process, it tends to be a forest fire. I think you are seeing that with Zion. It’s exciting to be part of that.

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