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In the last couple of days, we learned that Clippers star forward and NBA free agent Blake Griffin would be taking meetings early in July with the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets. The Clippers were reportedly not going to offer Griffin the full five-year maximum, and so he was exploring other teams.
However, reports indicate that in a meeting this afternoon with Griffin’s agent, the Clippers caved and gave Griffin the five-year, $173 million deal that he coveted. Per reports, he has agreed and will stay with the team.
This allows the Clippers to turn their attention to putting talent around him, DeAndre Jordan, and new point guard Patrick Beverley. Their current targets are mostly small forwards.
Blake Griffin has canceled meetings w/ Phoenix & Denver, I'm told. Barring wildcard team swooping in, sense is a return to Clippers coming.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2017
Blake Griffin plans to reach agreement on a five-year, $173 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2017
Update: According to Ramona Shelburne, Blake Griffin did not get a no-trade clause in this deal, leaving the Clippers with some flexibility down the road if things don’t go well. There has not yet been a report on any option for the final year of his deal.
Can confirm Blake Griffin & Clippers have agreed on a 5-$173 deal. @BA_Turner first. He did not get a no trade clause, per sources
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2017