Report: Griffin Plans to Re-Sign With Clippers

According to Steve Kyler of BasketballInsiders:

Sources close to Griffin said recently that he is not remotely interested in changing teams and they expect the deal process to go very smoothly and quickly this summer.

This quote comes from this article by Dan Feldman of NBCSports. It always seemed likely that Griffin would return to the Clippers—he’s had success here, he loves the L.A. lifestyle, he’s close with DeAndre Jordan, he has business ventures in Hollywood, he now has two children, etc. etc. Still, it’s good to hear that his camp is leaking this.

The Clippers need to retain Griffin this summer, as well as Chris Paul and J.J. Redick. Getting one star back on board makes another journey more enticing for the others, as well. If the Clippers can pull off a rumored trade for Carmelo Anthony, that would likely motivate Chris Paul to re-sign to play with one of his closest friends on an elite team.

Because Griffin did not make the All-Star Game and seems unlikely to earn an All-NBA Team spot, he won’t be eligible for the new designated max veteran extension this summer. But, because of his experience, he would be eligible for it next summer. Don’t be shocked if Griffin signs a one-year deal with a player option, and then aims to qualify for that higher extension so he can lock in a super-max contract in the summer of 2018.