For the first time in his career, Los Angeles Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin is set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent.
His fate with the Clippers will be one of the biggest storylines in free agency this summer. With that in mind, Broderick Turner of the LA Times is reporting that the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are real threats to acquire Griffin:
“Griffin can sign a five-year deal worth $175 million with L.A., or sign a four-year deal worth $130 million with another team. The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are two teams that will make a bid for Griffin, according to several executives.”
The Thunder have long been rumored to be highly interested in pursuing Griffin beyond just his personal connection to Oklahoma City, which is his hometown. The organization is looking to pair another star player alongside likely MVP winner Russell Westbrook following the departure of Kevin Durant last summer.
Griffin's addition would provide the Thunder with a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch to build around. They could certainly compete with the top teams in the Western Conference with the right pieces around the duo.
As for the Celtics, the franchise has revamped their efforts in trying to win now after falling short in the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Griffin would give them another building block alongside All-star point guard Isaiah Thomas and big man Al Horford.
On top of that, there have been rumors that Boston is looking to pursue All-Star forward Gordon Hayward in free agency. They also possess the first overall pick in this year's draft, which the front office will likely use on Washington‘s Markelle Fultz or UCLA's Lonzo Ball.
All of this is beginning to set the stage for what could be an intense free-agency process for Griffin and the league as a whole.
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