Free Agent Blake Griffin likely done with Los Angeles Clippers

Blake Griffin has likely played his last-ever game for the Los Angeles Clippers. Griffin, an unrestricted free agent this summer, has been ruled of the remainder of the 2017 NBA Playoffs and there's uncertainty over the future of the five-time All-Star.

On Saturday, the Clippers announced that Griffin will miss the rest of the postseason because of a toe injury he suffered during the crucial first-round Game 3 win over the Utah Jazz. Griffin reportedly injured the plantar plate of his right big toe during the closing moments of the first half on Friday. The star forward landed awkwardly after making a transition layup and was forced to leave the game 30 seconds later. Even though the X-rays at the arena cleared Griffin of a serious injury, he was re-evaluated at the end of the game.

Chris Paul, also a free agent this summer, is now under extreme pressure to carry the Clippers for the rest of the postseason. "It's tough (to lose Blake) ... as much as me and big fella have been together. You just hate for dumb stuff like this to happen when you know how hard somebody works. Everybody doesn't get an opportunity to see that. For somebody who's as dedicated to the process and the training and the working out and all that stuff like that, for something to happen, you hate to see it. We'll worry about the game when it's that time, but right now it's about consoling one of the leaders of our team who this means more to him than anything," Paul told reporters Saturday, via ESPN.

Blake Griffin free agency: Clippers star to take his talents elsewhere?

According to Los Angeles Times, the Clippers front office would be hesitant to offer Griffin the eligible five-year supermax contract due to the forward's recent injury history. Griffin suffered a similar season-ending injury during last year's playoffs as the Clippers were knocked out of the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers had drafted Griffin with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

"The injury to Griffin complicates matters. The forward’s medical history could make the Clippers think twice about awarding him a maximum contract. And perhaps Griffin also has other ideas. Unlike Paul, he doesn’t qualify for a newly implemented 'super maximum' contract, meaning he would be costing himself less money if he signs elsewhere. And, unlike the 31-year-old Paul, the 28-year-old Griffin probably has another large contract ahead of the deal he will sign this summer," L.A. beat writer Dylan Hernandez wrote Saturday.

With sharpshooter J.J. Redick also approaching free agency, the Clippers front office will have their work cut out this summer. Insiders expected Paul to return on a five-year max contract worth in excess of US$200 million (AU$265 million). However, Blake Griffin could likely walk away from Los Angeles. Stay tuned for the latest news and updates surrounding Blake Griffin free agency and the NBA Free Agency 2017.