Clippers’ Blake Griffin opts out, is free agent

Blake Griffin’s time in Los Angeles could be over, as the Clippers’ star opted out of the final year of his contract, and became a free agent.

Blake Griffin has decided to test free agency, telling the Los Angeles Clippers that he is opting out of the final year of his contract.

A person with direct knowledge of Griffin’s plans confirmed the decision to The Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because neither the five-time All-Star nor the Clippers have publicly announced the move.

The move was expected, and gives Griffin the chance to either pursue a deal elsewhere or, of course, re-sign.

The Clippers have had six consecutive successful regular seasons winning at least 60 percent of their games each year, something only San Antonio has done in that same span but never cracked the code of finding success in the playoffs. The Clippers never made it out of the second round, and lost in the first round each of the last two years.

And now with Griffin, along with LA guards Chris Paul and J.J. Redick all potentially on the move as free agents, as well as speculation that DeAndre Jordan could be a trade possibility, next season’s Clippers could have a decidedly different look.

MLB

RED SOX RETIRE ORTIZ’S NO. 34 » The Boston Red Sox are honoring David Ortiz by retiring his No. 34.

The ballclub held a ceremony before its game against the Los Angeles Angels. Ortiz is the 10th Red Sox player to be so honored.

Ortiz retired at the age of 40 last year. He left as the No. 2 home run hitter in Red Sox history and also was in the top 10 in almost every other major offensive category.