Clippers: Could Blake Griffin join Thunder in 2017?

The Los Angeles Clippers could easily be entering their final season with the current core, and there may be a chance that the Oklahoma City Thunder will try to bring Blake Griffin home in 2017 free agency.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a dilemma on their hands. The basketball world is still left in a state of shock after Kevin Durant‘s departure to the Golden State Warriors, a move that no one expected or believed could materialize until it actually happened the instant his article for The Players’ Tribune went online. He was raised by the Thunder and every indication he’d given for years was that he’d stay. From past comments that he’d retire with OKC to reports last week that he was “90 percent” certain about staying, a move to Golden State wasn’t expected.

And this might not even be the end of it for the Thunder.

With Durant’s departure, they’re left with the dilemma of Russell Westbrook‘s future.

As if the first week of free agency hadn’t been devastating enough for Oklahoma City, the team finishing this summer superstar-less is very much a possibility.

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No longer is Durant, Westbrook and everyone else that stormed to a 3-1 lead in the Conference Finals having another shot at it next year a foregone conclusion. Because after losing one superstar for nothing, GM Sam Presti and the Thunder won’t want to risk a repeat in a year’s time.

It simply cannot happen and his track record (the James Harden trade and the Serge Ibaka deal in this year’s draft) indicates that waiting around to make a move isn’t in his nature.

Some fans in Oklahoma City may never get over the loss of their beloved Kevin Durant. Given how unexpected his departure was even hours before his announcement, it makes it that much tougher. So, more than ever, fans will have a desire to see the team rally around Westbrook as the new center of their franchise.

That may not happen, though.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that if the Thunder cannot get Westbrook to agree to a contract extension this summer, they may listen to trade offers to avoid total loss next year:

"One option the team is considering is attempting to renegotiate and extend the contract of Westbrook before he can become a free agent after next season, sources told ESPN.If Westbrook chooses not to extend his contract this summer, multiple league executives told ESPN they believe the Thunder will consider fielding trade offers for Westbrook."

Seeing as there’s no logic behind Westbrook agreeing to an extension this summer, both in terms of keeping free agency options for the future and being able to sign a bigger contract when the salary cap rises again next summer, it’s almost guaranteed it won’t happen (David Aldridge has reported there is “no chance”).

However, one other alternative is that the Thunder try hanging onto Westbrook, possibly trying to convince him to stay prior to the February trade deadline. Potentially, he’ll be more motivated and furious than ever to prove himself and lead this team without Durant, showing everyone what he’s capable of alone and what he can still bring to Oklahoma City. There’s a chance he wants to stay.

The Thunder may decide to hang around and appreciate how rare a generational talent like Westbrook is. Perhaps, they’ll opt to keep that superstardom rather than trading him for young assets to rebuild. They can continue to draft well (albeit without lottery picks), make a solid free agency signing here or there, keep their talent around, and wait for their break.

It can happen, and a rebuild isn’t always the answer if they believe they can re-sign Westbrook.

Blake Griffin may be able to help in that regard.

Born in Oklahoma City and a star of the Oklahoma Sooners in his two-year college career, the idea of Griffin returning isn’t a new one. When his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers is up next year and he has a player option for 2017-18 that he will surely decline, and if they fail to come up with a title again (if these Warriors are healthy it’s over), it wouldn’t be remotely surprising to see Griffin acknowledge the Clippers’ limitations and head elsewhere while he’s still in his prime.

Especially if Westbrook stays, his native Oklahoma City could have great appeal. And for the Thunder, who won’t necessarily rush into a trade this summer, they could keep Russ’ interest by saying they’ll do all they can to sign Griffin. Again, there’s risk there for both OKC and Westbrook getting what they want.

Not every star wants to play in their home town. Take the Washington Wizards, for example. The returning of hometown hero Kevin Durant was a popular theory this summer, but along with the fact the Wizards had no chance to contend, he didn’t even gift them some of a his time with a meeting in free agency. Similarly, there’s no guarantee Griffin wants to be in Oklahoma City for the next four or five years of his career.

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The Thunder’s 2017 free agency could go one of two ways. If Westbrook is already gone, signing Griffin could be a top priority to land a new superstar, one born in their city who can be the center of their franchise as part of a frontcourt tandem alongside Steven Adams (who also needs to be re-signed next year).

If Westbrook stays, Griffin becomes the complimentary star to turn them back into a title contender with a hyper athletic one-two punch and devastating pick-and-roll duo. Not to mention that Griffin coming to OKC could be a major factor in swaying Russ into staying.

There’s incentive to sign Blake for the Thunder either way. But without Westbrook, the remaining roster may not be enough for Griffin when he’ll have so many options as one of the top players on the market. With offers from hopeless franchises and top teams alike, he’ll have his fair share of options.

Next: The Clippers' options for a new backup center in free agency

And as much as this may scare Thunder fans, we may find out in the coming weeks if they’re ruled out from Blake’s possible interest if Russ is dealt and they enter rebuild mode.