Blake Griffin has committed long-term to the Los Angeles Clippers, putting an end to Clippers trade rumors that had started to pop up randomly. Some fans never put a lot of stock into the rumors that the Clippers could possibly deal Griffin as part of a Dwight Howard deal, but this news has to put their minds at ease nonetheless.
According to ESPN, the deal for Griffin could be worth as much as $95 million over the five years of the contract extension. That's a nice chunk of change for Griffin, who is slated to make just over $7.2 million for the 2012-13 NBA season. Getting the extension done before the season begins was an important step for the franchise, possibly with more intent behind it than simply keeping Griffin happy.
Los Angeles also has to worry about point guard Chris Paul, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. He will make just short of $18 million during his second year with the Clippers, but has declined to sign an extension with the team to this point. It doesn't necessarily mean that he is going to test the free agent market, but rather that he wants to get the biggest deal possible from the Clippers.
Now that Griffin is locked up with the team for the next six years, maybe that will convince Paul that he too should stick with the Clippers.
Do you think that there was ever any doubt about the Los Angeles Clippers giving Blake Griffin a max deal? Do any of the Clippers trade rumors suggest that Chris Paul could really sign with a team like the Atlanta Hawks next year?
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