Los Angeles Clippers' star duo of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul could join other teams in next year's free agency, and the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers appear as their likely respective destinations come summer of 2017.
Another failed season could be the deciding factor for Griffin and Paul to part ways with the Clippers. Both players have turned the franchise from the league's laughingstock into a consistent playoff contender. However, in five seasons playing together, Paul and Griffin have yet to slot the Clippers in an NBA Finals game.
There are still plenty of months before Griffin and Paul join the list the 2017 free agent class, but the Clippers may already be in trouble of losing their stars next summer as explored by Sai Mohan of Hoops Habit in his chronicled piece of projected landing spots for top stars to hit free agency in 2017.
In Mohan's projection, Paul joins LeBron James in Cleveland, while Griffin heads back to his hometown in Oklahoma to create a dynamic duo with Russell Westbrook.
It is no secret that James and Paul are closest of friends, and there have been legit desires from both players to play with each other. With James committed to playing a few more years for the Cavs, their team-up could very well happen in Cleveland if Paul decides to explore free agency.
Pursuing Paul in free agency would also allow the Cavs to keep hold of their own stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, although, according to Mohan, acquiring the nine-time All-Star would likely require letting go of key players.
"For Cavaliers GM David Griffin, acquiring Paul would prove challenging since he has nearly $119 million committed in salaries for the 2017-18 season. The Cavs would need to move Iman Shumpert, Channing Frye and possibly Mike Dunleavy to create room for Paul," Mohan noted.
Not only would Paul give the Cavs a pass-first point guard to maximize the talents in their roster, but the 31-year-old would take some of Irving and James' playmaking duties, allowing the two to focus on the offensive end.
It remains to be seen whether such scenario would unfold next summer, but if there is a strong interest in Paul and James to join forces, the latter could surely convince the Cavs to make a run at CP3 in 2017.
Meanwhile, Griffin is also projected to bolt out of Los Angeles, with the 27-year-old forward, who has an early termination option in his contract with the Clippers, also set to hit free agency next summer.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders claimed that "sources close to Griffin have been adamant that he is planning to re-sign with L.A. and that he's not open to going anywhere," which may have put speculations about Griffin's immediate future to rest. However, there is still a possibility the five-time All-Star may consider exploring other options, especially if teams like the Thunder could come entice him for a homecoming in OKC.
"Griffin could grapple with the impending decision since the Clippers can offer him the most lucrative possible five-year deal," Mohan wrote. "However, the power forward is still 27 and can explore ways, barring injuries, to return to free agency at the age of 30-31 to earn another maximum-level contract down the road."
"Seeing as Russell Westbrook has made a three-year commitment to the Thunder, Griffin has good reason to consider a return to his hometown."
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Thunder has assured Westbrook they would pursue Griffin in hopes of surrounding the former with a star talent.
"For now, this is Westbrook's chance to become a recruiter, a gatherer, and bringing back Griffin could make these Thunder a legitimate threat to Golden State in the Western Conference."
The Clippers were able to keep hold of Griffin this offseason despite trade talks circulating the former Slam Dunk champion, with several teams showing interests to land the Oklahoma native. But considering the chances of becoming a free agent next year, teams like the Thunder would be wise to pursue him in free agency, and the timing could be right for OKC if the Clippers once again fail to make a deep run in the postseason.