CLIPPERS FOLD...Blake Griffin's Bluff To Join The Sun's Pays Off...He SCORES $173 MILLION Jackpot...
In the high stakes gamed called NBA free agency sometimes it is good not to show your hand. Blake Griffin all along wanted to remain a Clipper. But after seeing how the Clippers negotiated with Chris Paul (not offering the perennial all-star and future hall of famer) a 5th year on his contract...Griffin played his hand. Setting up a meeting with the Phoenix Sun's who were serious contenders to get Griffin.
The Clippers not wanteing to lose out on another all-star and core player folded and gave Griffin the contract he wanted with that elusive 5th year. He will be the first player this year to get that 5th year. Even 26 year old all-star John Wall was offered 4 years buy the Wizards.
Are we seeing the same thing with Andre Igoudala by refusing to meet with the Warriors and mentioning he will talk to other teams. He is scheduled to meet the Spurs at Midnight EST tonight. Roughly 2 hours away. Is this a bluff too? Will the Warriors fold like the Clippers? Or will they let him go.
The cat and mouse game we see during free agency is truly entertaining. Do you like this move? What other surprises do you predict? How is YOUR team doing and if you were GM what would you try to pull off?
I wonder what we will see next? Free agency begins officially in 2 hours!!!
This is going to be GOOD! They fell for it and I definitely think that this will backfire on Doc and the Clippers. He is injury prone and not a game changer IMO but maybe this opens the door for a Doc/Rondo reunion ....
I thought it was time for the clippers to start rebuilding again, but I doubt that's going to happen when Docs in charge
He'll honestly have too much money wrapped in Jordan and Griffin to bother with a rebuild the best case scenario for him would be to grab Rondo on the cheap and maybe steal Lowry in the offseason.
Yeah I was hoping they would go in a different direction with Griffin, think it would've done well for both sides to go opposite directions. I think rondo would be a great fit with griffin and Jordan tho
I was thinking the SAME thing. Rondo to the Clipps. They need a guard and hell he won a title with Doc. He might be a good fit as he plays good D and likes to distribute as opposed to score. We will see.
Do you think that's a lot? Stephen Curry got a 5 year contract for $201 million!!!
Hello friends. I like it very much
Me too. I wanted Blake to stay in LA and to get paid. I really do not want to see them rebuild.
I think Andre is 100% bluffing and will stay with the Warriors. But, also don't know if it matters I think they hands down win the 2018 Finals without him.
I think that is the line of thinking management has. They need to think about Klay Thompson being a free agent next year. I thought for sure he would be the one they let go as I do not see how they can pay all these guys. I read that Paul George talked to Thompson about going to the Lakers next year in free agency and recruit Lebron. WOW know that would be a Super Team.
Well that would make the league interesting again, but I also hate the Lakers so I hope that doesn't happen.
ahhhh that is BLASPHEMOUS! I am lifelong Laker fan. lol hahaha.
Ewwwww, lifelong Kings fan here. My first full season I watched was 2002, so you can see why I hate the Lakers... lol. I even talked about it in my last post: https://steemit.com/sports/@brianm4/steemsports-2k-giveaway-growing-up-surrounded-by-sports
You should also enter that giveaway, I really enjoy your sports articles and comments!
hahaha that makes us rivals!
I like the way the King are building this team. Hot rid of Cousins which I liked because as great as his stats are his bitching and moaning is a cancer in the clubhouse. Too many young guys to have that around. But with WCS, Buddy Hield and De'Aaron fox (a STEAL in the draft Magic Johnson really looked at him close) this team will be good. And I like Tyreke Evans too. He has not dropped too far off from his ROY season. Wonder what happened to him.
We are indeed rivals until the day we die! I also like the way they are building, especially this draft. However, I still think the Boogie trade was one of the worse in history. Also, I love Tyreke too but I don't like that we let him go and then went back and the Pelicans used him as bait for that Boogie trade. We'll see how they do the next 2-3 years.
He might be, or might not be. Meeting with the Spurs at midnight? You never know if they manage to convince him. And I happen to think that he is a crucial part of their success, and that it would be a big blow to the Warriors. I could make the argument that Igoudala leaving would be the biggest power shifter in the offseason--despite all that has happened.
Can't wait to see what free agency has to offer! Already one of the most interesting offseasons I can remember and free agency hasn't even started yet..
Agreed. Super exciting. Like a sports junkies soap opera. Wondering what is going to happen next. It is really intriguing as we are seeing power shift unfold before our eyes. AND I LOVE trades more than 3 stars agreeing to join a team. The wheeling and dealing is what makes it fun.
I was really intrigued by the PG13 trade to OKC. Only got Olapio and Sabonis in return when the celtics reportedly offered them 3 future first rounders..
I am not sure if all the details are in yet. There may be a 1st rounder in it. Have to wait and see as you are right. They surely could have gotten more from the Celtics. Ainge is just sitting around with his typical wait and see approach. lol. The Celtics as is can not contend next year. What can they do now? If Hayward goes to Miami they are left with the same team. And Pat Riley wants really bad to show up Ainge hahaha.
Yeah they're in a tough position if they don't get Hayward. Too many young guys and the vets aren't quite good enough to really compete for a title.. I'd love to see him show Ainge up honestly, but I'd really like to see Hayward go to Boston so the Cavs at least have a little competition this year haha
I am really surprised the Pacers went with Oladipo over Love. Love is clearly a better player, they get paid almost identical, and they both have 3 years left. It seems the Cavs pot was better.
I guess the only argument to that would be that Oladipo maybe has a little more potential? Otherwise I think you're right, doesn't quite make sense
If they didn't give it to him, they might have faced a bleak rebuild (which we know Doc would hate). Don't really think its great, but its better than the alternative I suppose!
Now PG-13 to the Thunder...complete shocker.
Next: The Hayward decision...and what in the world happens with Melo!?
I am not sure how long Doc will be in LA. Jerry West was brought in to be a buffer as being President and Coach is too much power and Ballmer sees that. You already see West's impact. I would not be surprised if Doc steps down. West is only on a 2 year contract so he has no time to rebuild.
Yeah Paul George to OKC is a complete SHOCKER. There is absolutely no way he resigns with them. If they do not meet expectations and are not in the upper echelon (top 3) in conference then I would expect OKC to trade him next year to get something for him.
And Hayward no way resigns with Utah. His wife wants Miami. He in interested in Boston. Typically the wife gets what they want. Look for Hayward to be sporting a Heat jersey next year.
George to the Lakers in 2018 seems guaranteed at this point. Good for them, plus its good for the league when the Lakers are good (imo).
HAHAHA, love the Hayward analysis. That would be cool to watch. I'd rather see him with the Heat than the Celtics--purely from a Cavs fan perspective.
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