Blake Griffin Rumors: Clippers Aiming to Re-Sign PF After Chris Paul Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly set to ramp up their efforts to re-sign power forward Blake Griffin after trading point guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Brad Turner‏ of the Los Angeles Times provided the latest Griffin update. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical first reported an agreement was in place to send Paul to Houston.

The 28-year-old University of Oklahoma product will choose between a five-year deal for $175 million with the Clippers or a four-year deal for $130 million elsewhere, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. He listed the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder as other interested teams.

In April, Bill Oram of the Orange County Register noted Griffin commented on his time with the Clippers, but the player wasn't prepared to express his long-term outlook with free agency looming.

"I've loved my time here, absolutely," he said.

Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field for L.A. this past season. He also ranked second in the NBA among qualified power forwards in player efficiency rating, per ESPN, behind only Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Keeping him in the fold is more important than ever following the Paul trade. Losing both Griffin and their star point guard would put the Clippers on the path toward a total rebuild.

It's unclear whether Griffin is willing to ink a new deal now or if he'll wait to explore his options when the market opens July 1, though.