According to Sam Amick of USA Today, Blake Griffin had a meeting with the Nuggets planned but cancelled it late Friday evening.
Shams Charania followed up the Amick tweet with a tweet of his own, saying Griffin will re-sign in Los Angeles on a five-year deal.
Blake Griffin is rumored to be one of the Nuggets’ top targets in free agency this year. According to multiple reports, Denver’s desire to upgrade the power forward position long term was its most pressing concern. Griffin is one of the top three power forwards on the market this year, along with Paul Millsap and Kevin Love (via trade).
Griffin was rumored to leave the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason due to the departure of Chris Paul. Paul helped orchestrate a sign-and-trade to the Houston Rockets earlier this week, creating another top contender with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists as a dueling first option with Paul.
The fit with Griffin and star center Nikola Jokic was always questionable, but the talent certainly isn’t. The pair would almost certainly lead the Nuggets to the playoffs this season and for many seasons moving forward. It’s disappointing that Griffin cancelled his meeting, even if he may not have been Denver’s first choice.
If the report is true, that removes one top power forward off the market. Denver best move quickly if they don’t want to lose out on other options. Millsap and Love aren’t Denver’s only options, but they are the best options at upgrading the power forward position.
