Following weeks of build up, All-Star forward Blake Griffin has officially decided to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
However, it appears that Griffin may be done with the Clippers as Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports is reporting that his internal conflict with fellow All-Star Chris Paul has drawn the last straw for him in Los Angeles.
Was told last month – per a source close w/Blake+brother Taylor, Blake wants no part of CP3 and grown increasingly frustrated w/organization https://t.co/ShIdINqFXe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 23, 2017
There had been many rumblings over the last couple of years that both Griffin and Paul have butted heads on numerous occasions. This had created speculation that the Clippers would potentially have to blow up the team because of the internal issues.
With Griffin opting out of his $21.4 player option for the 2017-18 season, he now has an opportunity to go through the entire free-agent process and decide where he could fit best. Despite the injury concerns, the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Oklahoma City Thunder are all expected to pursue signing him to a lucrative deal for four years and ~$130 million. Meanwhile, the Clippers can offer a max contract of five years worth ~$175 million.
Griffin is coming off another productive season where he averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 49.3 percent from the field across 61 games played. However, he missed over a month of the season due to right knee surgery and saw his season end prematurely due to a big toe injury in the first-round playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz.
The Clippers could potentially be in a tight spot with the realistic scenario being that both Griffin and Paul could decide to leave in free agency. All in all, the coming weeks will have a huge impact on the franchise's long-term outlook.
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