Blake Griffin
Dec 16, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (4) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Clippers won 102-98. USA TODAY Sports / Steve Mitchell

The Phoenix Suns will get meetings with All-Star forwards Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap this weekend after the NBA Free Agency 2017 window begins Saturday. Both Griffin and Millsap have opted out of their Player Options with the Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, respectively.

Unlike ex-teammate Chris Paul, Griffin can no longer opt into his Player Option worth US$21.37 million (AU$27.83 million) in order to facilitate a sign-and-trade with another team. Following the July 30th deadline, Griffin becomes an unrestricted free agent starting Saturday.

Millsap, too, will opt out of his US$21.4 million (AU$28 million) Player Option for the 2017-18 season and pursue free agency. According to several insiders, Millsap hopes to re-sign with the Hawks on a five-year extension worth US$207 million (AU$271 million). However, the new Hawks front office is leaning towards letting Millsap walk. The Houston Rockets are reportedly another suitor for Millsap.

NBA Free Agency 2017: Phoenix Suns plan to be aggressive

The Suns will be able to offer a four-year max contract to Millsap worth approximately US$154 million (AU$200 million). Griffin, entering his seventh NBA season, is not eligible for 35 percent of the salary-cap and could receive offers worth approximately US$130 million over a four-year time frame. Essentially, both players will be leaving a lot of money on the table to go elsewhere.

According to ESPN, there are conflicting reports about Griffin's availability at the start of the 2017-18 NBA season. "Sources told ESPN's Michael Eaves earlier this week that Griffin may not be ready for the start of the 2017-18 season and could possibly be out until December due to a toe injury that cut short his postseason this year. A separate source told Shelburne that the Clippers believe Griffin's toe will be healed and he'll likely be ready for the start of the season."

While Paul Millsap averaged 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, Griffin averaged 21.5 points and 9.4 rebounds this past season. NBA Free Agency 2017 gets underway at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday. Players can begin signing new contracts after July 6. Besides Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, the likes of Kyle Lowry, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Gordon Hayward will also become unrestricted free agents starting Saturday.

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