New reports claim that the Oklahoma City Thunder are targeting to snatch Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers. According to sources, this move is related to the team's decision to rescind Dion Waiters' contract.
Earlier this week, it was reported that OKC declined to extend Waiters' contract, which then made him a free agent. As noted by various insiders, the Thunder probably did this in order to secure enough cap space in order to entice Russell Westbrook to stay with the team, according to NESN.
Apparently, ever since Kevin Durant announced that he will be leaving the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors, there have been talks about Westbrook exiting the team too. According to these reports, it would be better for OKC to trade Westbrook than lose him in free agency without getting in return.
Of course, from the side of the Thunder, the team is probably willing to do anything that it can in order to retain Westbrook and keep him from leaving. After all, following the departure of Durant, the team is in serious need of effective players who can perform well.
Also, other reports suggest that Durant's exit may have actually had an opposite effect on Westbrook. Now that he's gone, the point guard is reportedly more determined on stepping up his game to lead the team to the finals next season.
If Westbrook is really keen on staying, then this means that a contract renegotiation between him and the team will happen eventually.
So, in order to ensure that they'll be able to cover Westbrook's contract extension, the Thunder made room in its cap space by letting go Waiters. But aside from the financial aspect of the situation, the team might also use the money to get Griffin from the Clippers.
However, since Griffin still has a contract with the team, the Thunder will probably have to wait until next offseason to get him since this will be the time that he will be a free agent. OKC couldn't probably go after him through a draft since they don't have much to offer in exchange for the athlete.
