Clippers Optimistic About Extending Blake Griffin

In spite of Neil Olshey's departure, the Clippers are still confident in their chances of signing Blake Griffin to a long-term contract extension. Sources tells ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the absence of Olshey, who accepted the Trail Blazers' GM job, will have "no significant impact" on negotiations with Griffin. According to Stein, the Clips continue to believe that Griffin will sign a long-term extension this offseason rather than hitting restricted free agency next summer.

Griffin is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract, and will earn about $7.23MM in 2012/13. When he and the Clippers enter extension negotiations, a number of factors will be in play. For one, the Clips will have to decide whether to offer Griffin a five-year extension — under the new CBA, a team can only sign a single, designated player to a five-year extension, so no other Clipper would be eligible for such a deal during the life of the contract.

Additionally, as I explained in February, Griffin could end up qualifying for an extension worth 30% of the salary cap (rather than 25%) if he's voted into the All-Star game again next season, or qualifies for another All-NBA team. If Griffin were to sign an extension this summer, he could still be eligible for that increased maximum salary, assuming he meets the criteria next season and the Clippers choose to write it into the contract.

In addition to Griffin, Chris Paul will also be entering the final year of his contract in 2012/13 and is eligible for an extension this summer, so the Clippers' new GM will have his work cut out for him.

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