It's impossible to predict where
Blake Griffin will be in the summer of 2014, when he will become an unrestricted free agent.
But as far as the
Los Angeles Clippers are concerned, he's not going anywhere.
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"I can guarantee you he will only ever be a Clipper," general manager Neil Olshey said of his prized rookie. "If [
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager] Sam Presti arrived on
Kevin Durant'sdoorstep at midnight on July 1st with an extension, understand thatBlake Griffin lives two blocks away from me in Manhattan Beach so it'sgoing to be a much shorter commute for me."
Griffin has arguably been the most exciting rookie in the NBA since
LeBron James. He's averaging 22.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
The Clippers (15-25) have won 10 of their last 14 games, beating both the
Miami Heat and
Los Angeles Lakers during that span.
"Blake will continue to do what he's doing. So will
Eric Gordon and so will the rest of the All-Rookie players we've drafted over the years," said Olshey.
He's been even better in 2011, averaging 27.6 points, 14.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists since Jan. 1.
"Whenit comes time for him to be a free agent, we won't be losing," Olsheysaid. "We're not losing now. We're 10 out of 14 now with our All-Starcenter [
Chris Kaman]sitting around in a suit. The future looks pretty good. The onlyquestion will be, in two or three years with Blake, is how much morewe'll be winning."