Kevin Durant might not be the last superstar to shockingly leave the only team he’s ever played for in NBA free agency.
The free agent class of 2017 is top heavy with loads of talented players, most of whom are expected to remain with their current clubs and/or re-sign before even testing the waters. Names like Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and, until his recent extension, Russell Westbrook are the big ones, but there’s one All-Star whose name shouldn’t fly so far under the radar: Blake Griffin.
The Los Angeles Clippers’ star probably isn’t going anywhere. He’s got a great gig in L.A. both on the court and off of it, and he’s not shy about enjoying the Hollywood lifestyle.
But ahead of L.A.’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, Griffin was asked about Westbrook, OKC’s superstar already vying for the league MVP while averaging 38.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 11.7 assists through his team’s first three games of the season — all wins.
While that’s just a nine-word compliment that probably isn’t anything more than sincere admiration and an honest attempt not to provide any bulletin board material for an angry, chip-on-his-shoulder star, it might be a glimpse into the brain of Griffin, who clearly appreciates Westbrook’s work.
We’d be remiss not to mention, of course, that Griffin hails from Oklahoma and even went to college there before being drafted by L.A. first overall in 2009. In an eerie coincidence, Westbrook hails from L.A. and played for UCLA before being drafted fourth overall by OKC a year earlier.
If only by that circumstance alone, it seems probable that at some point in their careers, Griffin and Westbrook will play together. Aiding that fantasy factory is Griffin’s recent injury history, his off-court issues with a former Clippers employee that led to Griffin breaking his hand in a fight, and L.A.’s inability to advance past the second round of the playoffs in five seasons with their “Big Three” that includes Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan.
And besides, the pundits will argue, the Clippers played just fine while Griffin nursed a quad injury in the second half last season — despite the terrific numbers they were missing without him. And to take it a step further, Paul is four years older will be out of his “championship prime” well before Griffin is — unlike Westbrook, who is the same age.
Of course, other stars recently have shunned their hometowns in favor of greener pastures or loyalty — Kevin Durant with Washington, DeMar DeRozan and Westbrook with L.A. last summer are three who come to mind. Heck, even LeBron James left Cleveland for four years before ultimately returning with two rings in his back pocket.
So who knows what will happen. But given the very public falling out between Durant and Westbrook following the former’s decision to leave OKC in July, it never hurts to start saying nice things about your potential future All-Star teammate a little early.
Thumbnail photo via Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports Images
