Oklahoma City Thunder free agency: Blake Griffin needs to come home

According to their record, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished the 2016-17 season as the sixth-best team in the Western Conference. The damning part of this equation, however, is that Oklahoma City boasts MVP-Finalist Russell Westbrook and was still unable to make a postseason push.

There was a conspicuous lack of aid to Westbrook’s historic cause.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, moving forward, the Thunder absolutely need a true second-scoring option. That stated, there is no better solution to remedy OKC’s ails than Blake Griffin, who hits the free-agency market this summer.

Griffin, 28, has played all six seasons of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Clippers. He played his college ball at the University of Oklahoma with his brother Taylor. Further, Griffin is from Edmond, Oklahoma. Therefore, it only seems fitting that he come home and ply his trade.

You’re probably thinking, how, possibly, can the Thunder afford this move with their dire financial situation.

Yes, OKC would have to make drastic moves to lure Griffin —but it would be worth it. The combination of Griffin and Westbrook would be an electric duo to help the Thunder traverse a cutthroat Western Conference.

Last season, Griffin averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He was very efficient with his scoring as well, shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 51.4 percent on two-point field goals. Defensively, Griffin averaged a steal per game. Though, the value for Griffin comes more on the offensive side.

While I’m on topic, I am sorry, but Victor Oladipo is not getting the job done as the Thunder’s #2 scoring option. More so, Enes Kanter can’t be that for the team, and would need to be traded for Oklahoma City to acquire Griffin.

Signing Blake Griffin this off-season will require a total reshuffling of the Thunder’s roster, but, again, the ends would justify the means.

Furthermore, if GM Presti can pair Griffin with a talented shooter in the draft, the Thunder could be one of the teams to beat in the wild Western Conference.

This will be a situation to watch for as the NBA off-season begins.