The Los Angeles Lakers should prefer Blake Griffin
I have seen so many Lakers fans laugh at the idea of the team signing Blake Griffin and I am not too sure why. Yes, he is not the same player that he used to be but this is a buyout signing. This is not a marquee offseason signing.
Rarely do we see a former star like this hit the market for free and it is such a low-risk, high-reward move for the team to make. Why wouldn’t they do it? Because he has been bad and is not a perfect fit for the team? Fine, then who should they be waiting for?
Not Tucker, because he would provide the exact same fit and playstyle as Griffin and I would rather bet on Griffin’s potential than take a guy who is slightly better in Tucker.
Sure, there are the rumblings about Hassan Whiteside and other centers but the Lakers can make more than one move! All the team needs to do is waive Alfonzo McKinnie, who does not add anything to the team as is, to open that extra roster spot to bring in a second buyout signing.
Buyout signings are never a guarantee and in Griffin, you have a buyout player who has a ceiling that is so much higher than any other buyout signing in recent memory. If it doesn’t work it doesn’t work. No harm, no foul.
Now, just because the Lakers should prefer Griffin does not mean it is a guarantee that he signs. The Nets are just as good of an option for Griffin and he has a connection there in DeAndre Jordan.
So while I personally hope the Lakers prioritize Blake Griffin and bring him back to LA, I would not be shocked if he signs elsewhere and the Lakers then pivot to bringing in P.J Tucker.