In light of the Chris Paul trade to the Houston Rockets, L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin could be soon to follow, having had limited success through his seven years with the team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had their crosshairs on the high-flying Oklahoma standout for months, according to ESPN's Royce Young, a team which now feels more optimistic about landing his services with the Clippers clearly heading toward a rebuilding period.

The Thunder were trigger-shy last season, choosing to sign Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams to extensions — a situation that can be costly this season with a cluster of contracts to be paid and a lot of sacrifices to be made in order to bring the hometown talent within reins.

Because of their lack of cap space, Oklahoma City would have to dump Enes Kanter and Kyle Singler's contracts and either Doug McDermott or Domantas Sabonis as well to give them enough room to make a proper offer.

A sign-and-trade scenario would be the most realistic option, but it is unclear if the Clippers would even want Kanter or Adams on their rebuilding team unless they trade DeAndre Jordan.

Griffin's chances to make a move were more realistic last season than this one, with even heftier salaries being doled out to free agents due to the new collective bargaining agreement. Regardless, it won't keep the Thunder from trying to land their best free agent signing in franchise history this summer.