Skip to main content

Reports: Blake Griffin, Chris Paul opting out of Clippers contracts

All-Stars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are hitting the open market.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin has opted out of his contract and will become a free agent on July 1, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

ESPN reports guard Chris Paul will also opt out. Both players’ decisions have been expected, but leave the Clippers with a murky immediate future.

Griffin, the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft, has spent his entire career with the Clippers. He had just under $21.4 million remaining on his deal. He has been rumored as a target for the Rockets and Celtics.

The 28-year-old Griffin has never averaged fewer than 18 points per game. He has dealt with several injuries over the past few seasons that have limited his contributions to the Clippers, including a season-ending toe injury in Game 3 of the Clippers’ first round series against the Jazz this season.

Paul, who arrived via trade in 2011 and is a nine-time All-Star, is expected to draw interest from the Rockets and Spurs, among other teams.

The team can offer both players more money than any other franchise, but both their futures are unclear. Shooting guard J.J. Redick is another key free agent.