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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 27, 2014 3:49:13 GMT
Hey guys! I just wanted to announce that I will be making further announcements in this thread to countdown the great suitors for Blake Griffin who, unfortunately, will be "losing" out on the sweepstakes for Blake's services.
Keep an eye out in this thread to see who made offers, how they stood up, maybe why they were a good fit, or not a good fit, and more!
First announcement may come tonight!
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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 27, 2014 5:00:31 GMT
OK. Some brief background here. During this process, I received offers from the Knicks, Nets, Lakers, Clippers, all big market teams. However, there are question marks with every one of those teams. Blake has also received offers from the Hornets, Blazers, Thunder, and Bucks. These are all "small-market" type of teams, but all have some very interesting things going for them. I'm going to knock out a few of these teams immediately in this post, right now.
I want to say that most of these teams were heavily considered throughout the process, but in the end, Blake can only play for one team! Very nice offers all around, and it was a pleasure chatting back and forth with a few of these GMs about their teams, their futures, and how Blake would fit in those plans.
New York Knicks
Blake Griffin has decided not to sign with the Knicks. While the lights are incredibly bright, the cupboard is a bit bare. Money and years of contract were no issue here, but Blake did not see all that much talent on the roster right now. We like the potential of Markieff Morris and Iman Shumpert to a point, but not as cornerstone pieces, and the fit ultimately was not there.
Thank you for the offer James McGowan, and we wish you luck going forward!
Brooklyn Nets
Blake Griffin has decided not to sign with the Nets. He thinks Michael Carter-Williams has a bright future in the league, but he thinks there are better, more established PG's on some of these other teams, and the overall roster is just not where we would like it to be to more seriously consider joining the Nets. Again, money (galore) was thrown at Blake here, but we needed to go in another direction in the end.
Thank you for the offer Billy King, and good luck with your other offers.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Blake Griffin has decided not to sign with the Thunder. While Kevin Durant is an incredible player, we think the Thunder are truly his team and may always be his team. Blake wants to continue to make his own mark on the league, and does not want to be seen as a true sidekick by joining a team with an established star. Maybe Kevin will consider coming to Blake's final destination when his contract runs out? Once again, money and years were not an issue, it just came down to fit. One other large factor was the current lack of a Point Guard on this roster. That is a large red flag, and while we know the Thunder may be able to sign a solid PG during this Free Agency period, there is no guarantee and that leaves too much to chance right now.
Thank you Shaq for the offer, and we are sure you have a great future ahead of you regardless!
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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 28, 2014 4:25:48 GMT
I really wanted to make this a great write-up for everyone, but I also gotta get this done on a busy schedule! Here are some more updates!
Portland Trailblazers
While this team is already incredible and has a nice shiny, fresh new ring on their fingers, we just don't see how we can join a team that already has Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge on the team. We really appreciated this offer, but ultimately, that made it an easy decision when considering all of the other offers we had.
Thanks for the offer Clyde!
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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 28, 2014 4:30:48 GMT
Milwaukee Bucks
These last decisions are really tough! Milwaukee has Anthony Davis. They've got Jrue Holiday back in town. Bradley Beal has a lot of potential. There is youth throughout this team, and we didn't even mention Andre Drummond. Therein lies a potential problem. However, Milwaukee assures us there is a trade in the works to bring more talent to the team, and clear room for Blake. We think Anthony Davis is an incredible talent, but we see better situations out there where Blake can fit in a little bit better! Blake likes playing next to a defensive big man if possible, and we actually think Anthony is best served doing the same.
So, while this is an incredibly intriguing option, it is not a big market, and the fit is not quite right for Blake at this time.
Thank you Glenn for your offer, and good luck going forward!
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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 28, 2014 4:34:30 GMT
Los Angeles Lakers
Well, the Lakers! Goran Dragic is a PG that Blake would enjoy playing with. Harrison Barnes has some intriguing athletic upside, but has some big question marks. One "fit" issue for us is the presence of both ZBo and Nikola Vucevic, whom we are big fans of both. However, that is two legitimate starting big men in the rotation already.
Couple that with the idea of going from a Clippers team that Blake has helped re-energize and bring into the bright lights again, and it seems like a poor choice for Blake's image and career.
We really appreciate the offer from Magic Johnson, and we know he'll keep doing his best to put a great team out there. Thanks Magic, and good luck!
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Post by Walt Frazier on Jun 28, 2014 4:46:42 GMT
Well, we are down to two teams: The Charlotte Hornets, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
This normally sounds like it would be an easy decision, but it truly is not.
The Charlotte Hornets already have Mike Conley and Eric Bledsoe on their team. They have a very nice center in Robin Lopez who is developing and refining his game in a great way the last couple of years. Nerlens Noel has a bright future in our opinion. Reggie Jackson, John Henson, and Khris Middleton all show great promise. Did we mention the #1 overall pick in this draft? Did we also mention he has enough cap space to not only bring in Blake, but to also bring someone like Serge Ibaka or another similar level Free Agent this offseason? Don't forget that #1 overall pick as well.
James Kay has really impressed us with his offers, his knowledge of the league, basketball, and his polite yet persistent pursuit of Blake Griffin throughout this process.
However (this really was very hard), in the end, Blake believes in himself. He believes in the team that made two deep runs including a finals appearance just the season before this last one. He believes the right fit exists with the Clippers, and Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker both pushed for trades to join Blake in Clipper-town, so that really made our final decision much easier. Blake is going to take the Clippers to a ring, and soon.
Blake Griffin is signing with the Los Angeles Clippers!
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Post by James Kay on Jun 28, 2014 4:48:50 GMT
I knew it was wishful thinking. Good job by Walt as Trade Committee though. GL to the Clippers with Blake!
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Post by Shaquille O'Neal on Jun 28, 2014 5:22:16 GMT
dang, another guy taking a few million per year less.
congrats clips!
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Post by Mike Krzyzewski on Jun 28, 2014 14:47:40 GMT
Great feedback to all of us Walt!
I know it is easy for me to say when Blake has decided to resign but what a tremendous job by the agent in doing all the due diligence with at least 8 teams. If he spent as much time going back and forth with them as he did me, I can only imagine the time the player agent has invested with just this 1 player.
Now, back to the finals we go!
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Post by Ian Noble on Jun 28, 2014 14:50:43 GMT
Amazing work Walt! You're a great player agent.
Congratulations to the Clips!
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