Clippers, Nets Discussing Sign-And-Trade For Paul Pierce
The Los Angeles Clippers are in talks with the Brooklyn Nets about putting together a potential sign-and-trade deal that would send Paul Pierce to Los Angeles and reunite him with his former head coach Doc Rivers. According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN LA, Rivers has had a few conversations with Pierce since he became a free agent on July 1,
And while the Clippers could simply sign Pierce as a free agent using their midlevel exception at $5.3 million, they are interested in pursuing sign-and-trade scenarios that would allow Brooklyn to get something in return for the 10-time All-Star and because the Clippers already have so many small forwards.
A sign-and-trade would allow Pierce to sign or more than the midlevel exception, and Shelburne’s sources say the Clippers would likely have to include some semblance of Jared Dudley, Matt Barnes, and Reggie Bullock in the deal. Jamal Crawford could also be in that mix. They also say that the Clippers may not have enough to appease the Nets in a sign-and-trade. Word is that they’re particularly looking for a back-up point guard to replace Shaun Livingston, who just signed a three-year deal with Golden State this week.
The Clippers are still holding out on the slim possibility of landing one of the marquee free agents in LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, so Pierce is looking like their contingency. Pierce has also reportedly drawn interest from the Trail Blazers, Grizzlies, Bulls, Rockets, and Mavericks.
