The L.A. Clippers face a monumental decision next offseason as Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will become free agents.
Griffin has a player option worth upward of $21 million for the 2017-18 season, while Paul's player option is $24.2 million. With a salary cap that is expected to rise, it's expected that both players will opt out of their contracts and pursue a more lucrative contract.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer will do what it takes to bring his stars back, as he's fully committed to re-signing the exciting duo no matter the cost, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
Head coach Doc Rivers has avidly stated that the organization has no plans of trading Griffin despite the myriad of injuries that have plagued him during the past season.
The Clippers have been a playoff staple in the Western Conference for the past five years, but have failed to reach the Western Conference Finals, having squandered the chance to get past the Portland Blazers after going up 2-0, losing four straight due to the injuries to Paul and Griffin.
Besides the excitement factor the two of them produce for the fans, there will need to be reasons beyond just that to substantiate ticket sales — meaning there needs to be a vision that the team can potentially challenge for an NBA title in order to justify keeping this core intact.
The core of “Lob City” which includes DeAndre Jordan, has been together for six years and will need something to show for it in order to snap the stigma that's surrounded the franchise since mid-1980s.
Chris Paul averaged 19.5 points per game and finished fourth in the league in assists (10) and third in steals (2.05) last season while Blake Griffin averaged 21.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 49.9 percent shooting from the field.
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