Clippers Rumors: How to Soften Loss of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul

The Los Angeles Clippers may have to start from ground zero this off-season. With Blake Griffin and Chris Paul player options, the thought of them leaving is no longer part of Clippers Rumors but part of reality.

Ah, the art of the NBA. Your team could have so much promise, so much chemistry, and still never win a title. These Clippers Rumors are an example of that.

Without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin the Los Angeles Clippers would have never become legitimate. For a very long time the Clippers were the laughing stocks of the NBA. The proof is all in the playoffs, as the Clippers have made the playoffs as many times with Paul and Griffin (5) than they did in the 41 year prior to lob city.

Finally the Clippers had become Los Angeles’ basketball team. While they may not have been the fan choice for Los Angeles’ team, they certainly played the role as the best team in Staples Center. The Lakers had enjoyed the riches of many superstars, all while the Clippers played what if. Recently that has been different, but it seems as the Clippers haven’t prepared for life after lob city.

Much like the Lakers failed to have a viable plan after Kobe retired, if the Clippers do lose both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul next season they would be in dire straits. Both players have a player option to exercise, and it is becoming more and more realistic they may exercise these rights in attempts for a bigger contract.

We have seen it countless times before, and countless times again. Either superstars will join super teams to win rings (We’re looking at you Kevin Durant) or they will leave for more money. It is very rare that there is an instance in which players remain so loyal. It often takes pretty contracts too, much like Kobe Bryant.

The problem is that is the Clippers want to realistically contend for the NBA Championship they cannot allow either Griffin or Paul to slip through their grasps. While they are superstars, they feed off of each other. We have seen when they actually manage to remain healthy they can be one of the deadliest teams in all of the NBA.

As of right now if the Clippers can clear all of their cap holds, meaning that all players exercise options and Paul Pierce gets his minimum, they will have $48 million in Cap Space. Right now, Griffin and Paul make a combined $45 million dollars. However, each man will likely ask for a little bit more than they have.

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I would not be surprised to see Chris Paul ask for upwards of $30 million per year and Griffin to ask for around $27 million. This leaves the price of the duo at $57 million, most likely a doable number with their bird rights. This would fully commit the Clippers to Griffin and Paul, having no room for any other star.

However, what if they lose the duo, or lose one of them? Common sense would say to save money and wait for the right opportunity, but I do not think they can do that. Any superstar that the Clippers lose they need to replace, as if they don’t they will again fall to the trenches, failing to bring in free agents in the future.

Steph Curry is likely never going to go to Los Angeles, but there are other options. If Kyle Lowry opts out of his contract the Clippers could attempt to bring him in to fill Paul’s void. A good replacement player for Blake Griffin would then be Paul Millsap.

However, of the two, I likely see Blake Griffin leaving. Not that he will, but there are big market teams that, if they make the right moves prior, can afford to over pay him. Quite frankly, I would not be surprised to see Griffin in rival purple and gold.

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Therefore, the Clippers should start preparing for this disaster. More specifically, they need to start their scouting of power fowards now. Guys like Paul Millsap, Serge Ibaka, and potentially Nerlens Noel. As much as the Clippers want to hold onto Paul and Griffin, they need to prepare for these Clippers Rumors to come to fruition.

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