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NBA Rumors: Thunder, Celtics, Magic, Bulls to pursue Blake Griffin next summer?

By Andre Pruitt

December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) scores a basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) scores a basket against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Thunder, Celtics, Magic and Bulls are expected to pursue Blake Griffin next summer.

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The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA playoffs last season. That marks the fifth straight season that the duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs.

The 2017-18 season may mark a change of scenery for Blake Griffin if the Clippers fail to make a deep playoff run next season as he has a player option for the 2017-18 season that most people think he’ll exercise.

With Russell Westbrook locked up for two more seasons, the Thunder seem to have interest in a Westbrook and Griffin pairing. The scenario also makes sense for both parties due to the facts that Kevin Durant left and the Thunder are in need of another star and that Blake Griffin is also from Oklahoma.

Though, Oklahoma City may have some competition in vying for Griffin’s services next summer as at least three other teams may be interested.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, “The Thunder won’t be alone if Griffin hits the open market. The Boston Celtics have long had eyes for Griffin, and there has been talk that the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls would also make a hard push at Griffin. Coincidentally, both teams have tradable assets now if the Clippers decide they want to consider a trade.”

Out of all the four teams interested in Griffin, the Thunder and Celtics will give Griffin the best chance to capture a ring. As aforementioned, a pairing with Westbrook would be lethal and may catapult them to the second best team in the West. Also if Griffin were to join the Celtics it would probably be a two-way race between the Cavaliers and Celtics in the eastern conference.

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