THE end of the Lob City era looms for the Los Angeles Clippers after Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have decided to test free agency, notifying the team they are opting out of the final year of their contract.
A person with direct knowledge of Griffin’s plans confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on Friday (Saturday, Manila time), speaking on condition of anonymity because neither the five-time All-Star nor the Clippers have publicly announced the move.
Meanwhile, reports also confirmed the 32-year-old Paul’s move to become an unrestricted free agent by July 1.
The moves were expected, and give the duo the chance to either pursue a deal elsewhere — or, of course, re-sign with the Clippers for more years as they are the strong favorites to retain the pair due to a financial advantage under the current CBA.
The Clippers have had six consecutive successful regular seasons, five with Paul — winning at least 60 percent of their games each year, something only San Antonio has done in that same span — but never cracked the code of finding success in the playoffs. The Clippers never made it out of the second round in any of those six seasons, and lost in the first round each of the last two years.
And now with Griffin, Paul and even J.J. Redick all potentially on the move as free agents, as well as speculation that DeAndre Jordan could be a trade possibility, next season’s Clippers could have a decidedly different look.
Griffin has spent his entire career with the Clippers, averaging 21.5 points and 9.4 rebounds on 52 percent shooting in seven seasons. He was due to make $21.4 million next season.
Paul, on the other hand, is eligible for a five-year deal worth an estimated $205M from the Clippers. Other teams, like the San Antonio Spurs, can only offer a four-year pact worth over $152M.
Griffin and Paul join a free-agent class that will also have Utah’s Gordon Hayward, Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and Heat guard Dion Waiters as some of the fellow headliners. Golden State stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant technically will be free agents as well, but are expected to return to the champion Warriors. Dwyane Wade could have been a free agent as well, but told the Chicago Bulls he is exercising his $23.8 million option for next season.
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