Blake Griffin is no stranger to rumors swirling at an impending free agency as the Clippers‘ longtime forward hit the open market this offseason but ultimately re-signed with Los Angeles on a lucrative five-year deal. Next offseason, LeBron James is set to hit the open market and has been rumored to be interested in L.A. (Clippers or Lakers), a place he has referred to as “home” this offseason and owns a home.
In a recent podcast appearance on View from the Cheap Seats with the Sklar Brothers, Griffin gave his thoughts on James possibly heading out west. While Griffin claimed to have no direct knowledge, he said he doubts that the three-time NBA champion will not go to Los Angeles and feels New York would be a more viable destination (via Complex).
“Honestly, I don’t see him coming to L.A. period. Listen, again, I have no idea. I think something is brewing with him and his group of guys. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think something’s brewing and they’re going to try to make that work,” he said. “I could see him going to New York before L.A. I still think, when you go to the Garden, it’s a completely different feeling. The energy, there seems like there’s just a consistent buzz the entire game … even last year when you go play them, it’s still there.”
James’ future will be a hot topic in the next 12 months and players around the league will be among those to weigh in with their thoughts.
Below you can read up on several tidbits of Cavaliers news:
- Charles Curtis of USA Today breaks down why the Cavaliers will not trade James before his hits free agency despite the uncertainty of his future. Curtis notes that James has a no-trade clause, teams’ skepticism of trading for a player departing in one year, fielding a competitive team even without Kyrie Irving, and the reputation of the NBA’s best player.
- In a separate USA Today, Alysha Tsuji writes that a store in James’ native Akron, Ohio, is selling merchandise asking James to “Stay Home” to stay past the 2017/18 season.
- Sam Amico of Amico Hoops writes that unless the team begins its transformation project of Quicken Loans Arena by September 15, the Cavaliers will not be considered for an NBA All-Star game in 2020 or 2021.
Blake obviously lobbying to be dealt to NY. “I could see… going to New York… there’s just a consistent buzz the entire game.” I’m doing this right guys? This is how you Trade Rumors right? No, wait, need to come up with some completely numb skull trade… Noah plus C Lee and a pick, the salaries match. Clippers have to do it because Blake asked for it. Says so right in the quote.
Yeah thats why Blake just signed a 5 year extension with the Clippers.
You don’t think the guy was just trolling? I mean. ……his name IS trolly-mc-troll-erson
James has a no trade clause. Period.
I think it’s a done deal..Lebron and George are coming to the Lakers. Just seems like the writing is on the wall. I hope I’m right as a Lakers fan but it does seem far fetched when I think about it sometimes but all this buzz about it and there being so many signs pointing to it happening it’s kind of hard not believe it’ll happen
Keep telling yourself that, Lebron doesn’t want to be in the shadow of someone like Kobe. He isn’t coming to the sorry ass Lakers
LBJ, CP3, Melo, and Wade could all end up on the same team next year. Crazy. I think they’d all go to NY or LAL and figure out how to divide up the money amongst themselves first.
I honestly think this could happen on the Cavs…. Idk why no one thinks so if they use Kyrie and trade JR and Shumpert with him as salary dump. Sure the return wouldn’t be good. But if the return isn’t going to be good anyways get a team to eat the contracts. That frees up almost 50 million Cavs cap would be around 75million. You have Tristan and Love making 18 and 20 million. I probably try to trade Tristan somewhere he’s young. You can also get a big man who does what he does almost anywhere for cheap. Cavs cap down to about 57 million. Sign Wade he probably takes 1/12million. Sign Paul. Trade for Melo. Veterans will want to play there. Lebron isn’t leaving the east he has a clear shot to finals.
LA can’t handle all this with all their young guys.
New York sure Phil Jackson is gone but James Dolan still said some things about Oakley. Lebron wasn’t very happy with that situation.
I agree with everything you said, but they’ll just play wherever the 4 of them can collect the most money overall, which peobably is NY or LA.