The Boston Celtics want Blake Griffin for another go-round for the 2023-24 season, but it remains to be seen if the interest is mutual. Marc Stein reported on August 7 that while the Celtics would like to keep him, it’s not clear if Griffin himself wants to be back.
“The Celtics, league sources say, have interest in re-signing Blake Griffin,” Stein wrote. “Less clear is Griffin’s stance, at 34, on returning to Boston for a 15th NBA season. Griffin signed with the Celtics in early October after training camp had already begun and appeared in just one playoff game after playing in 41 regular-season games.”
The Celtics waived Justin Champagnie on August 1, giving them two open full-time roster spots.
Griffin was signed after the Celtics lost Danilo Gallinari to a season-ending ACL tear, and he wound up starting 16 of the 41 games in which he appeared. His per-game averages in minutes played (13.9), points (4.1) and rebound (3.8) were all career lows.
He usually filled in as a frontcourt starter when Al Horford and/or Robert Williams III were out with injury or resting. Now that the Celtics have acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards, the need for Griffin may not be as strong.
Blake Griffin’s Next Potential Contract With Celtics
On August 3, CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning reported that the Celtics had not ruled out the possibility of keeping Griffin.
“I’ve heard the door remains open for his return despite the distance from family and his home on the West Coast,” Manning wrote. “Given that he mulled his options until October last year, it’s worth assuming he’ll follow a similarly deliberative process this summer.”
Manning added that Griffin could potentially be less expensive than Champagnie would have been had they kept him.
“His veteran status allows the team to sign him for a second-year salary on the cap sheet — $2 million this year — actually less than Champagnie would’ve made,” Manning wrote. “Any other veteran with over 10 years of NBA experience would qualify for the same cap discount.”
Griffin had his standout performances with the Celtics, including one against the Toronto Raptors on December 5, where he put up 13 points and eight rebounds with a vintage dunk and the dagger putback layup on top of that.
Griffin may very well be looking for a bigger role or for more money than what the Celtics could offer.
Insider Outlines Christian Wood-Celtics Possibility
On August 4, MassLive’s Brian Robb wrote that while free agent center Christian Wood would be an appealing addition, he may not be a likely one.
“That would certainly be a fun option to have as a fourth big, but I don’t know if Wood is looking for a bigger role if he’s going to settle for the veteran’s minimum,” Robb wrote. “There are a lot of teams out there with the mid-level exception still to use, and if Wood wants to score a new big deal in a season or two, he’s going to have to go somewhere that can give him consistent minutes.”
Robb added when Wood would likely get minutes with the Celtics if he were to join the team.
“The Celtics could conceivably be that spot if someone in the frontcourt gets hurt, but if not, he could only see spot minutes many nights with his defensive limitations.”
Comments
Blake Griffin’s Celtics Future Remains Unclear, Says Insider