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NBA Free Agency 2017: Blake Griffin and the 10 biggest player option decisions

By John Buhler

Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) reacts to a foul call in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Clippers won 115-104. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Paul
Mar 16, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 129-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Paul

Point Guard, Los Angeles Clippers

Let’s be real. There are only two players that can opt out of the final year of their current contract, sign with another organization, and create a seismic shift in the balance of power in the NBA. The first guy we’re going to talk about is Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.

Paul could in theory opt in to the final year of his Clippers deal and make $24,268,960 in 2017-18. However, Paul is 31 years old and only has one more massive contract to sign before he hits his prime. Should he re-sign with the Clippers, he could wind up being richer than Mike Conley, Memphis’ well-paid starting point guard.

Since Paul has had more than his say in the NBA’s Player Association, he has likely finagled the contract rules in the current collective bargaining agreement so that he can get as much coin as possible should his early termination option be exercised.

Even though they lost in round one of the Western Conference Playoffs, we should expect Paul to re-sign with the Clippers. He would have all the leverage in the negotiations as Los Angeles’ best player. Letting him walk away for nothing would signify a rebuild for the Clippers, as there is no chance they make the playoffs without him in 2018.

This free agency period will ultimately tell the tale of Paul’s NBA career. Does he value money or winning more? If he goes to an on-the-rise team in a non-glamorous market like the Milwaukee Bucks, then he could be the Oscar Robertson to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. If Paul goes back to the Clippers, winning an NBA title may not be found on Paul’s Basketball Hall of Fame plaque in Springfield.

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