Blake Griffin, the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star, has no intention to join hometown franchise Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency next year, according to several reports.

Griffin is expected to decline his US$21.3 million (AU$28.7 million) Player Option for the 2017-18 season and enter free agency next July. By doing so, he would be able to capitalise on the rising NBA salary cap.

For months, it was almost a foregone conclusion that the power forward would return home to Oklahoma City, or at least give the Thunder serious consideration. However, ESPN's Zach Lowe provided a dose of reality for Thunder fans during a recent report.

"There is no sign (Griffin) wants to come home, per several sources," Lowe reported last week.

Of course, a lot can change from now until next summer. However, the Thunder front office would have to move a lot of pieces around to pursue Griffin. After signing Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo to longterm extensions, the Thunder are capped out for the 2017-18 season and don't have the needed funds to afford a maximum-level contract that a player such as Griffin would warrant.

Thunder can't afford Blake Griffin...

As of this writing, the Thunder have approximately US$110 million ((AU$148 million) committed in salaries for next season. They are already above the projected salary cap. Thunder GM Sam Presti would have to trade the contracts of Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler and Alex Abrines, at the least, to have a realistic shot at chasing Griffin.

The Thunder are still searching for a secondary superstar to join forces with Russell Westbrook. They could find that piece ahead of February's trade deadline or just hope that either Oladipo or Adams reach All-Star status down the road.

In July, after Westbrook signed a three-year extension, The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Thunder front office would go to any lengths necessary to sign Griffin next year.

Blake Griffin was born and raised in the city of Oklahoma. Last year, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame for playing two years of college basketball with the Oklahoma Sooners. But despite his strong connection with the city, a homecoming is looking less likely by the day.

Stay tuned for the latest on Blake Griffin and NBA Free Agency.

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