Blake Griffin: 5 potential landing spots in free agency

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Apr 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and guard Chris Paul (3) react during a NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Kings 115-95. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Clippers

Money talks, and in Los Angeles, it talks a lot. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, owner Steve Ballmer is committed to spending whatever it takes to keep Chris Paul and Blake Griffin this summer — even if it means handing out a five-year, $205 million deal to CP3 and a five-year, $175 million max for the Flyin’ Lion.

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According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Chris Paul re-signing with the Los Angeles Clippers is simply a formality at this point, as both sides have verbally agreed to a deal. Lob City will likely lose J.J. Redick in free agency, since he’s 32 and disappeared in the playoffs but will still hold plenty of value around the league. The question is, will Griffin want to run it back with the Clips?

Taking another team’s offer means saying goodbye to an extra $45 million, the only NBA franchise he’s ever known and the opportunity to further pursue his interests in the entertainment industry in Hollywood. That’s a lot to turn down, especially since re-signing both CP3 and Griffin — even with Redick potentially leaving — makes the Clippers a perennial 50-win team.

Are they serious title contenders in the wake of the Warriors, Spurs, Cavaliers and even Rockets juggernauts that have assembled? Maybe not. But in L.A.’s last two playoff series, Griffin was injured. From the mindset of a competitor, the Clippers’ “predictable playoff collapses” probably look more like “injury-related what-could-have-beens.”

Next: 5 potential landing spots for Chris Paul in free agency

The Clippers can offer Griffin the most money, the chance at a top-4 seed in the loaded Western Conference and the comfort of living in L.A., where his passion for the entertainment industry can thrive. In terms of the whole package, the Clips should have the inside track.

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