Blake Griffin on LeBron James’ Next Destination: ‘I Could See Him Going to N.Y. Before L.A.’

Blake Griffin doesn't foresee LeBron James joining either of the two Los Angeles basketball franchises next offseason.

David Richard
USA Today Sports

Image via USA Today Sports

David Richard

 

LeBron James’ current team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, has found itself in an odd place. Kyrie Irving, the team’s second-best player—and presumably the cornerstone of its future—has requested a trade.

Even before it was made public that Kyrie wanted out of town, the basketball world had been murmuring that LeBron’s days in Cleveland were numbered. James has a player option in his contract after this coming season, so he can opt out in June 2018, and reporters have widely speculated that LBJ dreams of moving to Los Angeles and joining one of the two L.A. franchises.

The star of one of those teams, however, doesn’t see it in the cards. During an appearance on the Skar brothers’ podcast, View From The Cheap Seats, Clippers forward Blake Griffin said he didn’t think James would join the Clippers.

“It’d be insane, but I don’t see that happening,” Griffin said.

He also said he doesn’t foresee James joining the Lakers, which seems like the likelier destination.

“Honestly, I don’t see him coming to L.A. period,” Griffin said. “Listen, again, I have no idea [laughs]. I think something is brewing with him and his group of guys. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think something’s brewing and they’re going to try to make that work.”

LeBron’s “group of guys” are his longtime buddies Carmelo AnthonyChris Paul, and Dwyane Wade—AKA the Banana Boat Crew. But, if LeBron doesn’t go to L.A., where would he go? Griffin has an idea.

“I could see him going to New York before L.A.,” Blake said. “I still think, when you go to the Garden, it’s a completely different feeling. The energy, there seems like there’s just a consistent buzz the entire game…even last year when you go play them, it’s still there.”

It’s worth repeating that Griffin doesn’t seem to have inside knowledge and he’s just speculating, but it’s an interesting idea that no one seems to be talking about: LeBron to the Knicks. One potential fork in this plan: there seems to be a real chance the Knicks could trade for Kyrie Irving—who reportedly wants to join the franchise “very badly”—and if that happens, well, James Dolan can kiss the hope of signing LeBron goodbye.

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