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NBA free agency rumors: Blake Griffin opts out

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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As expected, Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin will exercise his early termination option of his contract to become a free agent.

The Los Angeles Clippers could look drastically different next season. Shooting guard J.J. Redick will be an unrestricted free agent and two of their stars have early termination options built into their current contracts. On Friday evening, Clippers power forward Blake Griffin exercised his early termination option of become an unrestricted free agent.

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical was the first to break the news. It’s not shocking news, as this is what many expected Griffin to do this summer. Had he not exercised his early termination clause, Griffin would have made $21,373,950 in 2017-18.

When healthy, Griffin is a perennial All-Star at the four for the Clippers and a dark horse MVP candidate. However, the last two seasons have not been all that great for Griffin physically. He has been limited to 96 regular season games in the last two years combined.

So why is Griffin doing this? Well, he will command a maximum contract offer from any team on the open market. Griffin could re-sign a multi-year deal with the Clippers, but for more money. There is also a chance he could leave his home of the last eight years in Los Angeles.

Griffin has been the marquee player for the Clippers along with Chris Paul at point guard. The Clippers haven’t even made it to a Western Conference Finals before, but Griffin has star power in Los Angeles.

Leaving Los Angeles would be incredibly difficult for Griffin and his high-flying above-the-rim basketball brand. Should he leave the Clippers, three teams immediately come to mind: the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Boston is looking to add another star in free agency. The Celtics might have their eyes set on Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward, but they would be interested in Griffin as well. Griffin is an Oklahoma City native and could have interest playing for his hometown Thunder. Miami is a sneaky-good landing spot for Griffin because of the its track record for landing free agents, playing in the Eastern Conference and no state income tax.

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