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Jerry West was right about the Los Angeles Clippers being “stuck”

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Former NBA players Brian Scalabrine and Jerry West speak before the game between the Boston Celtics and the LA Clippers on January 24, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 24: Former NBA players Brian Scalabrine and Jerry West speak before the game between the Boston Celtics and the LA Clippers on January 24, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jerry West said the Los Angeles Clippers were “stuck” prior to the Blake Griffin trade. Despite it not being a popular opinion, he was right.

In January, the Los Angeles Clippers traded the face of the franchise, Blake Griffin. The move surprised everyone and drew criticism due to how the team courted him during the offseason. Jerry West, the Clippers’ consultant, knew the move had to be made, despite how tough it was going to be on everyone.

He was right.

Blake Griffin, for everything he did for the franchise, is not good enough to be the main guy. I write this with him as one of my favorite players ever. With a huge extension in the summer, the Clippers backed themselves into a corner. They had just lost Chris Paul and their championship window seemed all but closed. Keeping Blake on the roster was a last ditch effort to stay relevant, but destined for mediocrity.

Then, an opportunity presented itself. According to West, he knew what the right choice was.

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"“It was very difficult for everyone, especially Steve, because he really liked Blake personally. But this franchise was really stuck. There was nowhere for it to go. You have to figure out how far away you really are and how we can get there.”"

West took a look at the landscape of the NBA. With Griffin approaching 29 years old and having an injury plagued past, did it really make sense to pay him max dollars over the next five seasons, especially with no clear cut path to success?

The answer is a resounding no. Look at Detroit now. They have no lottery picks and are nearly capped out with both Andre Drummond and Griffin taking up so much money.

Meanwhile, the Clippers now have two lottery picks, possible cap space and a sense of direction. With players like Kawhi Leonard, who has proven to be a main guy, possibly on the move, the Clips can become both relevant and good again.

Trading Blake hurt and I’m sure not all of us are over it. But, it’s a move that makes sense for the franchise. Jerry West knows it. Steve Ballmer grew to accept it. It’s time we all accepted it too.

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