Clippers' Griffin: I could see LeBron leaving Cavs for New York over L.A.
Could LeBron James take his talents to the New York Knicks next offseason?
The Cleveland Cavaliers icon can opt out of his contract after the upcoming campaign, and it's been rumored he'll bolt next summer to join one of the Los Angeles teams.
But Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin thinks the Big Apple is the likelier destination for the four-time NBA MVP given the allure of Madison Square Garden.
"I could see him going to New York before L.A.," Griffin said on the "View From The Cheap Seats" podcast. "When you go to the Garden, it's like just a completely different feeling. The energy, there seems like there's just a continual buzz the entire game ... even last year when you go play them, it's still there."
That said, should James opt to join Griffin on the Clippers, the 28-year-old power forward would welcome him with open arms.
"It'd be insane," Griffin said. "I don't see it happening, but it'd be insane."
Griffin's low expectations of playing alongside James seem realistic, as the Clippers aren't even the favorite among L.A. clubs to land the versatile forward. That honor belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers, who've cleared up enough cap space to sign two max players in 2018. But Griffin dismissed the notion of James joining either club that calls Staples Center home.
"Honestly, I don't see him coming to L.A., period," the big man said. "Listen, again, I have no idea. 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."
Of course, Griffin was referring to James and his Banana Boat buddies Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony. The quartet of aging stars have been open about their desire to someday join forces in the NBA.
Related: LeBron votes for Banana Boat crew in All-Star balloting
James put up 26.4 points, 8.7 dimes, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game last season and made his seventh straight NBA Finals appearance. He led the Cavs to an NBA title in 2016 in his second stint with his hometown club. The three-time champ is owed $33.3 million in 2017-18 and has a player option for the following season.
It's worth noting that Kyrie Irving requested to be traded, reportedly in part because he no longer wants to play second fiddle to James, and listed the Knicks as one of his preferred destinations.