NBA Trade Rumors: Jamal Crawford Deal To Clippers Held Up By Ryan Gomes' Contract

The Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers have discussed a deal that would move Jamal Crawford to the Clippers and send Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes to the Blazers.

But there's a problem.

According to a tweet by Ben Golliver of Blazers Edge, the Clippers will only do the deal if the Blazers take on Gomes' contract and the Blazers seem unlikely to want to do so. If there isn't a change on one of the sides, specifically the Clippers, then this deal could die before the trade deadline.

It would hurt the Clippers more if it doesn't happen. Though they like Bledsoe, Crawford completes a backcourt that has needed another crunch-time scorer and ball handler since Chauncey Billups got hurt. Crawford is one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the league and in a backcourt with Mo Williams and Chris Paul, the Clippers would have one of the best guard rotations in the league.

To discuss the thought of Crawford on the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation. To talk about the possibility of Gomes and Bledsoe on the Blazers, hit up Blazers Edge.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Clippers, Heat Of Interest In Free Agency

If the Orlando Magic do not trade Dwight Howard in the next few days, the Magic center will almost certainly be a free agent in 2012 and will be seeking out a host of teams as his next destination. For a long time, it appeared to be a three team race between the Los Angeles Lakers (a destination that would allow him to team up with Kobe Bryant), the New Jersey Nets (who have Howard's buddy Deron Williams to pair up with), and the Dallas Mavericks (who Mark Cuban will probably pursue this offseason to pair with Dirk Nowitzki as the new Twin Towers of Texas).

But it might not be that simple, there might be much more interest.

If Howard goes to free agency, throw out the three-team (Dallas, NJ, LAL) list. It's open season for bidding. LeBron, part II.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 12, 2012

Two teams sources say tell SI Howard will have interest in: Clippers and Miami. There are cap issues, but the interest is real.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) March 12, 2012

Obviously, Howard and the Clippers would be a nice fit. The Clippers would probably have to lose one of their big men, most likely DeAndre Jordan, possibly Reggie Evans. But imagining Paul and Howard on the same team paired up with Blake Griffin sounds like a recipe for the team to dominate the league in the near future.

To discuss Howard and the Magic, head on over to Orlando Pinstriped Post. To talk about Howard potentially fitting on the Clippers, check out Clips Nation.

NBA Trade Rumors: Clippers, Blazers Discussing Jamal Crawford For Eric Bledsoe And Ryan Gomes

The Portland Trailblazers could be shopping Jamal Crawford. The Los Angeles Clippers could be the beneficiary.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports has this report.

The Blazers and Clips are discussing a deal that would send Jamal Crawford to L.A. for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, sources say.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) March 12, 2012

Crawford would solve a lot of issues for Los Angeles. In crunch-time, only Chris Paul and Mo Williams remain solid contributors. Crawford gives them another option, someone who can create his own shot and doesn't primarily rely on spot ups (like Randy Foye), and in general is very comfortable in crunch time. It covers up Los Angeles's issues at the two (their biggest liability) and gives them a legitimate starting five that can contend with anyone.

Losing Bledsoe is tough sledding, but the Clippers are pretty much set with Paul running the floor for the majority of the game and Williams handling it the rest of the way.

To discuss the thought of Crawford on the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation. To talk about the possibility of Gomes and Bledsoe on the Blazers, hit up Blazers Edge.

Jamal Crawford Trade Rumors: Clippers Need To Deal Eric Bledsoe And A Draft Pick To Blazers?

The Los Angeles Clippers are ready to win an NBA championship. They have the best point guard in the NBA in Chris Paul and an exciting big man in Blake Griffin, plus solid contributors in Caron Butler, DeAndre Jordan, Kenyon Martin, Reggie Evans, and Mo Williams. They do have one big issue, which is their lack of effective swingman that can score and defend.

Luckily, the right man might be coming available for the Clippers soon enough: Jamal Crawford of the Portland Trailblazers. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports.

The Trail Blazers have been among the most active teams, seeking to move Jamal Crawford and acquire a big man -- either in the same or separate deals. The asking price for Crawford, however, includes a first-round pick in addition to Luke Ridnour (Timberwolves) or Eric Bledsoe (Clippers). Depending on what point guard the Blazers can bring back in a deal, they'd also be in a position to put Raymond Felton out of his misery. Felton's up-tempo style and Nate McMillan's deliberate offense clearly are not fitting together. "They've got to make major changes," one executive said.

Crawford would provide an excellent swing player at the position, and the potential of getting Felton to replace Bledsoe might lessen the blow of losing such a talented young player. This might be a deal that Los Angeles needs to make to truly contend for a championship this season.

To discuss a Crawford-Bledsoe deal with Blazers fans, hit up Blazers Edge. To talk about Crawford and Bledsoe with Clippers fans, check out Clips Nation.

Clippers Trade Rumors: Kirk Hinrich Of Definite Interest

The Los Angeles Clippers have a deficiency in the two guard spot. With Randy Foye the only legitimate shooting guard on the team, LA doesn't have enough scoring options at certain points and ruins some of the spacing on the floor. Los Angeles probably needs one more player at the two if they expect to do something big thi sseason.

If the Clippers can't get one of their primary targets like Jamal Crawford or Ray Allen, Kirk Hinrich might be the next guy they should look at. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports.

The Hawks won't find a taker for Joe Johnson and the $90 million he has coming to him over the next four years, but rival executives believe Kirk Hinrich could be on the move -- perhaps filling the gaping two-guard hole on the Clippers. That depends on the asking price, as the Clips' assets were diminished in the Chris Paul trade.

Hinrich isn't quite the shooter that Crawford or Allen is, but he has the perimeter defense that could help Clippers out in the outside against the best swingmen. He's a definite option and his calling price may be less than the other two aforementioned stars.

To talk about Hinrich and the Hawks, hit up Peachtree Hoops. To talk about Hinrich fitting in with the Clippers, go to Clips Nation.

Clippers Trade Rumors: Ray Allen, Jamal Crawford Of Interest To Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Clippers are well-set at most positions. They have a great point guard in Chris Paul with solid backups in Mo Williams and Eric Bledsoe, and have a nice big man rotation featuring Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Kenyon Martin and Reggie Evans. But it'd be foolish to think this team doesn't have things they need to worry about, or issues they need to fix.

One of their biggest problems is shooting guard. With Williams not really well-positioned to play too much at the two and Randy Foye hot and cold, the Clippers could use a more consistent shooting guard to play the position. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that LA is looking to get a prominent start to really round out the rotation.

The Clippers have expressed interest in Ray Allen and Jamal Crawford, according to sources.

The Boston Celtics aren’t actively shopping Allen, but they are listening to offers. It’s unclear what Boston would want in exchange for Allen, but the two teams will continue to talk as the deadline approaches. Los Angeles will have some competition as they pursue Allen, since many teams have expressed interest in the 36-year-old shooting guard. Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro was Allen’s teammate on the Milwaukee Bucks from 1998-2000.

The Portland Trail Blazers may look to move Crawford at some point over the next ten days. Sources close to the situation say that Crawford will opt-out of the final year of his contract to test free agency this summer. Rather than losing him for nothing this offseason, Portland may decide to deal him. The Clippers are among the teams expressing the most interest in Crawford, along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Los Angeles tried to sign-and-trade for Crawford during the offseason, but the Atlanta Hawks didn’t want to take back any contracts.

Allen playing off of the passes of Paul and the screens of Griffin and Jordan is a bit of a scary proposition. Crawford also offers its own set of problems for teams in the Western Conference. Get one of those two and the Clippers could jump up and become instant title contenders.

To discuss the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Clippers Interested In Blazers Guard

The Los Angeles Clippers don't feel they're too far off from being a championship contender. They have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul. They have the most exciting big man in the game and one of the most emerging power forwards in Blake Griffin. They have a young solid big man in DeAndre Jordan, and decent swingmen in Randy Foye and Caron Butler, a rebounding big man in Reggie Evans, and another crucial cog in Kenyon Martin.

Still, they could use one more player to complete the puzzle. It seems Los Angeles has the right player in mind to help put the Clippers right at the top of the pack.

In regards to Jamal Crawford, I know the Clippers and T-Wolves "are very interested" in Crawford. Can't confirm those other teams reported.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 5, 2012

Crawford gives the Clippers a player who can create his own shot other than Paul and allows Los Angeles to really get their team clicking on both sides of the basketball. Having a swingman to complement CP3 and Griffin could be the crucial component to making Los Angeles an NBA championship-caliber squad.

To discuss Crawford with Blazers fans and if he's worth being traded, go to Blazers Edge. To talk about Crawford and whether he'd fit in Los Angeles with Clippers fans, hit up Clips Nation.

NBA Free Agents 2011: Los Angeles Clippers Sign Reggie Evans

As expected, the Los Angeles Clippers have finally brought in Reggie Evans. Broderick Turner of the LA Times filed this report.

The Clippers made if official Thursday afternoon, announcing that they had signed Reggie Evans to a one-year contract.

Evans will earn the veteran’s minimum of about $1.3 million.

The 6-foot-8 Evans will be a backup and provide the Clippers with a physical and tough presence even though he’s an undersized center-forward.

The Clippers need a presence like Evans manning the paint and backing up talented bigs like DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin. Despite not scoring all that much for the Toronto Raptors last season, Evans was a pretty impressive rebounder, averaging around 11 to 12 boards a game.  Considering Los Angeles already has big men like Jordan and Griffin on their team, the addition of Evans provides another critical cog that can defend the inside and secure the boards.

Evans is still recovering from a foot injury, so don't expect him to be in action on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors. But when he comes back, he could be another huge piece that helps turn the Clippers into playoff contenders.

To discuss the prospect of Evans playing for the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.

Clippers Will Sign Free Agent Forward Reggie Evans, Per Report

The Clippers will sign veteran forward Reggie Evans, as reported by Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. 

Evans is a journeyman free agent in his 11th season in the NBA, including stints with the Seattle Supersonics, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors. He's hailed for his tenacious rebounding and has, during several points of his career, led the NBA in rebounds per minute. 

The 6'8, 245 pound power forward played his college ball at Iowa, and over his NBA career, he's averaged 7.0 rebounds per game. Last season with the Raptors, while averaging 26.6 minutes a game over 30 games, Evans averaged 11.5 rebounds per contest. 

For more on the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.

Chauncey Billups 'All In' With Los Angeles Clippers, Will Practice Saturday

While the big NBA news in Los Angeles this week was the Clippers' addition of Chris Paul, and rightfully so, it was easy to overlook the other All-Star point guard acquired by the Clippers during the week. Chauncey Billups, who was the first player to date acquired via the new amnesty process, held court on Friday at Clippers' practice.

Billups was waived by the New York Knicks, who are now spared the cap relief of his $14.2 million salary for the 2011-2012 season. The former All-Star point guard was angry at first and even considered retirement. But after a few days Billups changed his tune.

"I'm not the kind of guy who has one foot in and one foot out... and I'm in. I'm all in," Billups said on Friday. "You usually waive guys who are disruptions or who can't play. I'm not either of those."

Billups, who will be the starting shooting guard on the new-look Clippers, will practice on Saturday. Steve Perrin at Clips Nation likes having a pair of point guards in the backcourt:

Even if Chris Paul will be playing point guard for the Clippers, Billups doesn't consider himself an off-guard. He's a lead guard also, a playmaker, and he doesn't see any problem with that. With two such playmakers on the floor, the Clippers will be a very dangerous offensive team to be sure. The only issue with playing two "point guards" is on defense, where Billups is big enough to handle the vast majority of twos in the league. So I happen to agree with Chauncey on this one: the lack of a traditional shooting guard on this roster is not a big problem.

The Clippers will play an exhibition game at Staples Center on Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.

For more on the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.

Chris Paul To Clippers: CP3 Talks Expectations, Excitement For Los Angeles

In front of a huge gathering of media members, season ticket holders and long-time fans, Chris Paul officially made his first appearance in Los Angeles as a member of the Clippers. Paul, one of the more charismatic guys around the league with his sense of humor and contagious smile, discussed his new teammates, expectations for the season, and more at the presser.

"This is way too much attention for me. This is not just my day; this is the Clippers' day," the All-Star point guard stated, "I think for me, personally, this is a humbling experience and I'm so grateful and thankful to be here."

Paul thanked the city of New Orleans for his time spent with the Hornets and vowed to continue his work in the community along with his young song. He also addressed the city of LA and what he plans to do as a Clipper:

"I'm so excited to be here in LA with this unbelievable franchise. There is so much history behind it and everyone knows Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, who just signed his deal." CP3 also expressed his excitement to work alongside Chauncey Billups and to learn from head coach Vinny Del Nego.

Finally, as for what fans can expect from LA in 2011, "I can tell you we're going to work harder than any other team in the league. We will do so every day."

For more on the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation.

VIDEO: Blake Griffin Reacts To Chris Paul Trade: 'Lob City' For Clippers?

Clippers Sold Out Of Season Ticket Pairs, Only Single Seat Plans Remain

With the arrival of Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Blake Griffin Show already a huge hit, the Los Angels Clippers have sold out of all two-seat season ticket plans and only have single seat plans remaining, according to the team's director of sales Heath Bennet on Twitter.

#clippers completely sold out of all pairs of season tickets and partial plans. Single seats do remain. #clippernation.

— Heath Bennett (@HeathLAC) December 15, 2011

The Clippers haven't exactly been killing it in the attendance game lately, averaging only 17,742 fans per home game last year which is 93% capacity at Staples Center for the Clippers game seating arrangement (the Lakers and Clippers have differentiating seating charts for their home games) according to ESPN. 93% certainly isn't shabby, it was the 14th highest total in the NBA last season, but definitely something they could improve one. They seemingly have taken a step in the right direction this season. 

Oh, and for those like you and I who didn't even consider season tickets at any plan level, individual game tickets go on sale Thursday starting at 10 AM. 

To get your Clippers fix, head over to Clips Nation. 

Chris Paul Trade To Los Angeles Clippers Officially Announced

The NBA has released their official statement regarding the trade of All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the league-owned New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Clippers, putting an end to the trade rumor hullabaloo once and for all. 

Hornets Chairman Jac Sperling had this to say about making the trade with Los Angeles, and not the Los Angeles team that was once though as his destination. 

"We wanted to make sure that we got the best possible deal for a player of Chris' caliber, and we feel great about the outcome," Hornets Chairman and Governor Jac Sperling said. "We feel our future looks very bright and we look forward to continue to create an organization that New Orleans will be proud of. We want to thank Chris Paul, an extraordinary person who contributed so greatly to our basketball team and our community. We wish him the best of luck."     

In the workings of the deal the Hornets would receive forward Al-Farouq Aminu, guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman and the Minnesota Timberwolves' 2012 unprotected first round pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Chris Paul and two 2015 second round picks round picks. And all-in-all, Hornets general manager Dell Demps is happy with the talent he received in return:

"With this trade, we now have three additional players who were among the top eight draft picks in their respective drafts as well as our own first round pick and Minnesota's first round pick. Aminu is a young talent with a bright future, Gordon is a big time scorer and one of the best two guards in the league and Kaman is a proven center and former All-Star. Combined with our other players, we will field a competitive team and our future looks great."  

Maybe these two will find themselves locking horns this summer in the playoffs, but until then, we can only look towards Thursday March 22, Monday March 26, and Sunday April 22; the three regular season matchups the Clips have with the Hornets this year. The two later games will be televised on NBA TV. Mark it down. 

For more on the Clips, head over to Clips Nation. 

Clippers Not Considering Waiving Chauncey Billups

According to Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears on Twitter, the Los Angeles Clippers will not be considering waiving recently acquired point guard Chauncey Billups after trading for All-Star Chris Paul. 

Agent Andy Miller tells Yahoo! that Clippers won't be waiving Chauncey Billups.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) December 15, 2011

And why would they? Having a guy like Chauncey Billups as your backup is a terrific idea. He's a proven veteran with great leadership qualities who brings a calm, steadying demeanor to a locker room full of up and coming twenty-somethings. Thats a plus-plus to me. Aside from Caron Butler (31), he would be the only other player over 30 on the roster, which obviously needs some veteran presence.

He also managed to hoble himself to 16.8 and 5.4 assists a game in an average of 32 minutes last season for the Nuggets and Knicks. Not bad for a 35 year old huh? Billups will be a great teammate, and great addition to this on the rise Clippers team. 

For more on the Clippers, head over to Clips Nation. 

Chris Paul Trade: CP3 Will Opt In With Clippers For 2012-13 Season

The Los Angeles Clippers were very reluctant to part with a lot of their assets to try and make a bid for point guard Chris Paul. One of the reasons is that Paul has a player option for the 2012 season, meaning he would have been able to opt out after this season, meaning the Clippers would have been on eggshells this offseason about whether Paul would come back or not.

It appears that one of the conditions for this trade is that Paul will opt in, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. This guarantees that he'll be in Los Angeles for two seasons. This confirms the Clippers are going to have two years to convince Paul he should be with the team for the long haul. Much better than one, that's for sure!

They certainly have a lot of players. Not only does Los Angeles have Blake Griffin as their emerging superstar, but veteran guard Chauncey Billups, talented backup point Eric Bledsoe, power forward DeAndre Jordan, plus decent talent like Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes. Not at all bad for Paul. Can you say title contender?

To discuss the prospect of CP3 becoming the new face of Clippers basketball, head to Clips Nation.

Chris Paul To Clippers: Los Angeles Will Reportedly Deal Eric Gordon Along With Kaman, Aminu, Draft Pick

And here we go again! The Los Angeles Clippers are  ready to give it all up for Chris Paul to pair him up with Blake Griffin. Marc Stein of ESPN reports.

If this trade goes through, the New Orleans Hornets have managed to land the best possible deal they can probably ever get. They have two quality bigs in Al-Farouq Aminu and Chris Kaman, a budding star in Eric Gordon who can prop up New Orleans, and that unprotected draft pick from Minnesota should land them a quality talent. It's a big-time haul for the Hornets.

This was a league-made deal. David Stern might be savveir than we thought!

As for the Clippers? They have CP3 to pair up with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin, two young talents who should be able to be willing recipients of his alley-oop lobs. Prepare for all the entertainment to be centered around the Clippers in the Staples Center for once.

To discuss this trade with Hornets and Clippers fans, go to At The Hive (New Orleans SB Nation community) and Clips Nation (Los Angeles SB Nation community).

Vinny Del Negro Talks Preparation with Petros and Money on Fox Sports Radio

As the Los Angeles Clippers gear up for their Christmas Day matchup with the Golden State Warriors head coach Vinny Del Negro took some time with Fox Sports Radio on the Petros and Money Show to discuss what it's like to have just two weeks to prepare for a season, adding Chauncey Billups, and the fitness level of his players.

How big of a deal is it that you only have 12 days to get ready for your first game?:

"It is a big deal, but it's also the same situation that everybody's in. So you can't sit back and worry about it. All you can do is prepare, be organized, don't waste any time in practice. ... Some teams are in worse situations than [us], trying to incorporate more players."

Del Negro has the same handicap as the rest of the league, which is a plus, but he also has some new players to incorporate like Chancey Billups and old players who missed most of last season such as Chris Kaman. Luckily, they're mostly all in good shape heading into the season, which is something Coach Del Negro is happy with:

Any concern with any of your guys in terms of showing up to camp unhealthy?:

"We're pretty good right now, to be honest with you. There's a couple guys that could lose a few pounds here or there, but with a couple weeks, that's not going to be an issue."

As for how Billups will fit into his system, Del Negro was confident he can be a big contributor: 

Where is Chauncey going to fit in?:

"We'll get him on the court and see how it all works out. All of those guys are going to play a ton of minutes, especially when we've got 16 back-to-backs and two sets of three games in a row and 66 games in 100-some nights. It's going to be a difficult schedule and some good depth isn't going to be anything that's going to hurt us."

Del Negro dealt with a lockout shortened season when he was a player, which hopefully will him prepare entering this season as a coach: 

What do you remember about this type of schedule having played in something similar?:

"It is tough, there's no question. The regular season is hard enough in a regular year. This will be demanding. Obviously if one of your key guys has injuries or a setback or something, you might play 10 games in 14 nights and you can't make ground up. It's not easy."

For more on the Clippers, head over to Clips Nation. 

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Clippers Continue To Work Towards Deal, Lakers Remain Involved

The Chris Paul to Los Angeles rumors are alive and kicking once again, although in the latest report to come out, it's the Clippers to be the ones moving closer to a deal. Do not count out the Lakers, though, as it appears the team may still be interested in working out a deal after reportedly backing out of the sweepstakes over the weekend. Marc Stein and Chris Broussard have the latest news:

League officials representing the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers continued discussions into Tuesday night on a trade that would put Chris Paul on the same team with Blake Griffin, according to sources briefed on the talks.

But the sides have yet to find a framework that satisfies both, sources said, with the NBA not relenting on its desire to acquire the Clippers' top five available trade assets in return for Paul, who would invoke the 2012-13 option in his contract as part of any trade between the teams to ensure the Clippers would have him for at least two seasons.

"They're still asking for everyone," said one source with knowledge of the Clippers' thinking.

It still sounds like the Hornets are set on moving Paul, it's only a matter of which team blinks first and presents the offer New Orleans is looking for. There is no denying just how valuable the All-Star point guard is and luring him to Los Angeles will not come cheap.

As for the Lakers and their continued involvement:

ESPN.com learned Tuesday that a Lakers deal for Paul has not yet been ruled out, contingent on the fact that they can recruit at least one other team to supply some of the young pieces that the league is demanding. But the Lakers do still have Pau Gasol as a centerpiece, who could either replace Paul as the Hornets' franchise player or give New Orleans a top-20 player to be dangled in subsequent deals.

"The Lakers are definitely still in this," said one source close to the talks.

It's tough to imagine the Lakers having enough pieces to entice the Hornets, especially with Lamar Odom now on the Mavericks, but anything is possible when you have two quality big men at your disposal as LA does with Gasol and Andrew Bynum. The league is rumored to prefer the Clippers as the landing spot for CP3, but honestly, they may not care any longer if this potential deal continues to linger around.

For more, head over to Clips Nation and Silver Screen and Roll.

Los Angeles Clippers, Eric Gordon Work On Contract Extension

The Los Angeles Clippers are making a lot of noise this offseason. They have young talent they want to keep (like DeAndre Jordan). They're making a lot of good moves to fill up their depth chart (like Chauncey Billups). They've tried to make a big splash and trade for a superstar (like Chris Paul) that could put them among the top playoff contenders, even though it's not clear whether the deal will be made or not. They're at least trying now, something they haven't done for ages.

The next step is to hold onto the brimming young stars they have in place. Eric Gordon is the guy they're looking out for.  Pedro Moura of ESPN Los Angeles reports.

The fourth-year player is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension any time between now and Jan. 25. If no deal is reached by then, Gordon will become a restricted free agent next summer and the Clippers would likely have to match a substantial offer from another team to retain him.

...

"I've always looked forward to being on this team," Gordon said Tuesday. "We have a great team.

"I wouldn't leave here at all. I wouldn't think about it."

The Clippers have made sure that Gordon is a priority for them and appear to be unwilling to trade for Paul if he's included in any deal. They want Gordon around to pair up with Blake Griffin, and they're willing to make moves that'll ensure they're all in the same place next season as well. It's a good foundation to ensure long-term stability for the organization.

Considering that Gordon also seems willing to stick around, the Clippers should be in good shape to find something negotiable for both sides.

To discuss your thoughts on Gordon and the Clippers, head to Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Do Clippers Have Pieces To Trade For CP3?

The NBA runs the New Orleans Hornets. The NBA wants to sell the New Orleans Hornets. The NBA might want to keep Chris Paul on the New Orleans Hornets until they sell him. So the original trade with the Los Angeles Clippers had to die.

Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports reports that it might not be totally over yet.

Still, Olshey allowed for the possible resumption of trade talks while speaking to reporters in Los Angeles.

"I don’t know if there’s anybody on the planet that doesn’t think they would need Chris Paul if they had an opportunity to acquire him," Olshey said.

Plenty of people in the league – including some in Paul’s camp – are skeptical of the NBA’s intentions to trade him, questioning whether league officials are merely going through an exercise to protect themselves against legal liability, preferring instead to have Paul on the Hornets’ roster when the team is finally sold to a new owner.

It makes sense that it's in the league's best interest to have Paul with the Hornets if they want this team to be sold as quickly as possible. So it makes sense for the NBA to want to move Paul, they'd want teams like the Angeles Clippers to have to give up a lot to make this trade.

Now that they have Chauncey Billups though, they might be willing to part with a lot of players like Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and Chris Kaman plus draft picks. It's doubtful the Clips would go all the way and give up Eric Gordon, but with a complimentary guard like Billups now on the Clippers, LA might be interested in making a deal and making the CP3-Blake union happen.

To discuss Paul and the Hornets, head to At The Hive. To discuss the possibility of Paul on the Clippers, head to Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: CP3 Could Be With The Clippers By Tuesday, According To Report

The long, strange saga of 2011 NBA free agency seems as if it has always involved Chris Paul in one form or another. On Monday, just hours after a deal between the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers had been announced as dead, news has come out that the same teams have been communicating about the trade with renewed vigor.

Marc Stein of ESPN tweeted the following on Monday evening:

After trade talks between the two camps had broken down earlier on Monday, the Clippers claimed Chauncey Billups off of an amnesty waiver from the New York Knicks and matched an offer sheet that the Golden State Warriors had put in on center DeAndre Jordan.

If the Paul rumors turn out to be true and if the Clippers get their wish of holding on to Eric Gordon in the deal, they would have a fairly stacked team anchored by superstar Blake Griffin.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation.

Los Angeles Clippers Match DeAndre Jordan Offer Sheet From Golden State Warriors

The Los Angeles Clippers are making plenty of deals this Monday afternoon. First they nix the Chris Paul deal. Then they land Chauncey Billups, apparently to offset the loss of CP3. Now they're bringing DeAndre Jordan back. Adrian Wojnarowksi of Yahoo Sports tweets the following.

Jordan returning to LA makes the Clippers a very deep, young and talented team. If Billups does come into camp, he becomes part of a valuable team.

Unlike Billups, this doesn't mean Jordan plays for Los Angeles. This could be part of a sign-and-trade to land a bigger star (like Paul), and give the Clippers the pieces they need to revive trade talks and deal the players they don't mind losing while keeping a valuable star like Eric Gordon around.

However, Jordan's offer includes a trade kicker. This means that if Jordan ends up being dealt to (let's pick a random team on the board) the Hornets, then Jordan must be paid a bonus, and that bonus will count against the team that gets him--again, the Hornets. So it makes it a little unlikely that the Clips and Hornets would be willing to deal with Jordan since he'd force one side to give things up.

To discuss Jordan returning to the Clippers, head on over to Clips Nation to talk with Clipper fans or Golden State of Mind to consort with Warriors fans.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Chauncey Billups Cannot Be Used By Clippers In Deal For CP3

For those wondering if the Los Angeles Clippers are using Chauncey Billups to try and put the pieces in place to make a deal for Chris Paul, forget about it. The current collective bargaining agreement would invalidate any such movements, particularly when it comes to players who were subjected to amnesty waivers.

Basically, Billups is stuck under the current rules for amnesty. Namely, a player cannot be moved or play on a new team for the entire season. So Billups would not be available to be moved until after the season, by which time Paul will be a free agent and will be able to conduct his own search for a team, and Billups will be a free agent and be able to conduct his own affairs. So you probably wouldn't see a revival of the talks for CP3, at least when it comes to Billups.

To discuss Chris Paul trade rumors, head over to At The Hive, our Hornets SB Nation community. To discuss Billups and the Clips, check out Clips Nation, our Clippers SB Nation community.

Chauncey Billups Claimed By Los Angeles Clippers Off Amnesty Waiver, According To Report

If the Los Angeles Clippers can't have Chris Paul, might as well settle for a reasonable point guard, right?

Chauncey Billups is on secondary waivers from the New York Knicks, which meant that if a team claimed him that was under the salary cap, they'd hold his rights for the upcoming season and he wouldn't be able to become a free agent until next year.

Apparently, the Clippers felt he was worth the move. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports tweeted the following.

Chauncey does not technically have to play for the Clippers, particularly if he decides he doesn't like them. He has threatened retirement if he doesn't like the team that claims him. But if he did join up with the Clippers, he'd become the veteran leader of a young team that's threatening to make a leap to the top of the Western Conference with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon as the cohorts. Lots to like for Los Angeles if this happens as the Clippers envision it happening.

It also does make you wonder who exactly the Clippers had to do to get under the cap and make this work out. Did they amnesty a player like Chris Kaman or Mo Williams? Did they decline to match DeAndre Jordan's offer sheet from the Golden State Warriors even when it looked like they were going to accept it? Many unanswered questions still remain from this whole process.

To discuss the thought of Billups on the Clippers, head to Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Clippers Prefer Keeping Team Intact, NBA Trying To Revive Talks

The Los Angeles Clippers have been pushed too far when it comes to the Chris Paul sweepstakes. The NBA (who owns the New Orleans Hornets) doesn't seem to be done when it comes to reviving this deal.

The Clippers balked at the price tag the NBA was setting for Paul, which included giving up a number of draft picks, Eric Bledsoe, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, and Al-Farouq Aminu. It was too much for the Clips, who are trying to rebuild the franchise around Blake Griffin and make them a viable playoff team; losing all those players probably cancels out the merits of the Paul trade.

The league isn't quite yet willing to let this deal die though. They know the longer that Paul stays in New Orleans, the greater the embarrassment becomes for the NBA that they can't move a superstar on the team they own. It could threaten to undermine the entire 2011-12 season with the controversy it creates. Which is why they're not ready to quit on making a deal with the Clippers.

One has to wonder when the madness will end.

To discuss the Clippers, check out Clips Nation. To discuss the Hornets, head on over to At The Hive.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Deal With The Clippers Is Dead

And as soon as it had risen, it has died.

Chris Paul is still a member of the New Orleans Hornets as the deal with the Los Angeles Clippers that was being discussed has died, according to a tweet by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

The entire Chris Paul fiasco has put numerous teams in relationship limbo with players that were offered up in each deal. It caused so much damage for the Los Angeles Lakers that Lamar Odom asked to be traded and ended up landing on the Dallas Mavericks for a second-round pick and cash, like he wasn't the glue that held the Lakers together.

Paul is now a depressed superstar playing somewhere he's almost been traded from - twice. His best teammate, David West, just signed with the Indiana Pacers and his team just signed nine D-Leaguers. Yes, nine.

Now, if Paul ends up staying put, he'll walk away for nothing in return and the very team the NBA was trying to keep competitive will star Jarrett Jack, Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and a bunch of guys who barely made the NBA. Great job, David Stern and cohorts, you are just as terrible as we all thought you were.

Now, about this Dwight Howard fella...

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: The Clippers Chances Of Getting Paul Seem To Be On Life Support

As if the Chris Paul saga couldn't get anymore ridiculous, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that the Clippers are refusing the New Orleans Hornets' steep asking price for Chris Paul and that "the deal could be dying."

ESPN's Chris Broussard also tweeted that he was hearing rumblings that the league - thus the Hornets - may have pulled out of Paul deal.

But TNT's David Aldridge cited a source in his own tweet that the deal was "close", but not yet done.

So basically, no one really knows what is happening with Chris Paul at this point. There were conflicting reports this morning on whether or not the Clippers' Eric Gordon was included in the deal and if Eric Bledsoe would be added to the deal. But with the way the Paul sweepstakes have gone, nothing is completed until, well, it's actually completed.

But like HOOPSWORLD's Eric Pincus tweeted, Stern better skip his trip to STAPLES Center this year if both the Lakers AND the Clippers miss out on Paul.

To be continued...

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Clippers Are Close To Deal That Will Bring CP3 To Los Angeles, According To Report

According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Clippers are getting close to firming up a deal that will bring Chris Paul to California.

The Clippers are said to be in the closing stages of negotiations with the New Orleans Hornets. If the rumors are true, the Hornets would receive center Chris Kaman, guard Eric Bledsoe, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the No.1 pick in the 2012 draft.

The Hornets and Clippers discussed a potential deal for Paul last week, but those talks fell apart when it became clear that the Clips were unwilling to part with Eric Gordon. The Hornets began pursuing a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets that was initially nixed by NBA Commissioner David Stern. When the teams resubmitted a modified proposal, the Lakers decided to pull out of the deal, which negated the entire trade.

Paul has made statements in the past indicating that he would not sign an extension to remain on the Clippers past this season if he winds up in LA, so in that respect the Clippers are taking a bit of a gamble with this deal. However, if the Clippers are able to still keep Gordon, they may present a new threat in the shortened 2011-2012 season with Paul and superstar Blake Griffin anchoring the team.

For all news and information regarding the Los Angeles Clippers, please visit Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: CP3 Reportedly Will Opt-In To Clippers For 2012-13 Season If Traded To Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Clippers are now emerging as the favorites to try and land Chris Paul. They've made one of the most generous deals out there so far to hand the New Orleans Hornets their best chance at landing the best point guard in the BNA.

Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and two first round picks (including the one from the Minnesota Timberwolves) has been the circulated rumor going around. But for the Clippers to be willing to part with the picks, they seem to need assurance that Paul will stay in New Orleans beyond this first year.

Apparently CP3 is willing to make that sacrifice. Ric Bucher has more.

It's a calculated risk for Paul; if he gets injured on this deal, he could lose out on a great deal of money. But if he doesn't agree to the player option and get an extra season of CP3 and Blake Griffin paired together, it'll be hard for teams like the Clippers to want to give up that much to land him. And without those extra assets, the Hornets might not be willing to make that trade.

The saga continues to unfold as the Clippers try to make the biggest acquisition in franchise history.

To discuss the possibility of Paul and Clippers, head to Clips Nation. To talk about the players the Hornets would get out of this deal, check out At The Hive.

2011 NBA Offseason: Clippers Make Offer To Hornets For Chris Paul

Chris Broussard, ESPN reporter covering the NBA, is reporting that the New Orleans Hornets are asking for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and two first round picks in exchange for Chris Paul. Reportedly, the Clippers are willing to add Gordon if Chris Paul would commit to opting in to the final year of his deal, ensuring the Clippers would have him for the next two years. With the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers ruled out as likely target, Chris Paul has focused his efforts on the Clipps.

Eric Gordon finished last year as the Clippers' second leading scorer with 22.3 points per game. He also averaged 2.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. Gordon scored 30 or more points on eight different occasions. He also had a streak of twelve games with 20 or more points.

Eric Bledsoe and Al-Farouq Aminu are both first round draft picks from 2010. Chris Kaman was a first round pick in 2003. While these are all names less familiar to public discourse, the Clippers would be trading away a much more significant chunk of their team than the Lakers were offering, for the return of one player.

Nothing is certain yet, and there is still the possibility that the player's union will file suit against the league on Monday. Still, it's an interesting development in what has been the offseason's biggest story.  

2011 NBA Free Agents: Clippers Expected To Match Warriors Offer For DeAndre Jordan, Could Lose Chris Kaman

There have been reports that the Golden State Warriors will sign Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent big man DeAndre Jordan to a 4-year $40 million deal, but according to ESPN's Ric Bucher the Clips plan to match the W's offer for Jordan, which if kept, would put Chris Kaman is a position to almost have to request a trade. 

Owner Donald Sterling has a number of motivational factors to keep Jordan, one of the largest being trying to sign Blake Griffin to the Clippers long term, which keeping Jordan around would help. The two are close friends.

Another factor is the fact that Chris Paul may be disinterested without a guy like Jordan around to complement the rest of the team's talents, so he may not end up going there. Bucher points out another interesting point about this whole scenario: 

A salary averaging $10 million annually is a breathtaking leap for a player who averaged seven points and seven rebounds last season, which was Jordan's third in the NBA -- for which he made less than $900,000.    

Jordan is undoubtedly going to see a large increase in minutes and hopefully production with his increased salary, bringing raw athleticism and power to where ever his talents may wind up.

As for Kaman, a free agent next summer, he would likely request a trade if Jordan were to stick around, losing almost all his playing time in the process.

Kaman played in only 32 games last season, averaged 18.5 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots in 76 games in09-10, earning an All-Star nod in the process.

Teams who already have expressed an interest in Kaman are the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz according to Bucher. 

For more on the Clippers head over to Clips Nation. 

DeAndre Jordan To Sign Offer Sheet With Golden State Warriors Per Report, Los Angeles Clippers Expected To Match

The Los Angeles Clippers have said they want center DeAndre Jordan back, and now they know the price. The Golden State Warriors are expected on Sunday to sign Jordan to an offer sheet worth $40 million over four years, per Matt Steinmetz of CSN Bay Area. The Clippers would have three days to match the offer sheet for the restricted free agent.

The Clippers have said they will match any offer to Jordan, and had offered him a five-year, $40 million contract in recent days, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

Jordan averaged 7.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game last season, teaming with Blake Griffin for perhaps the most athletic center / power forward combination in the NBA. Griffin and Jordan finished second and third, respectively, in the league in dunks last season, behind only Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

Nearly two-thirds of Jordan's field goal makes were dunks which contributed to his 68.6% shooting percentage. The Clippers were 28-38 in games started by Jordan last season and 4-12 otherwise.

For all news and information regarding the Clippers, please visit Clips Nation.

Chris Paul Trade: Clippers Rumored To Be New Frontrunners For CP3, According To Reports

The NBA Hot Stove has been blowing up all day on Saturday, particularly as it pertains to superstar Chris Paul.

After NBA commissioner nixed a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Hornets that would have brought Paul to the Lakers, the teams submitted a new proposal focusing on younger talent moving towards the Hornets with an eye to building the team for the future.

Late on Saturday night, the Lakers pulled out of the deal, effectively killing the entire trade. Neither the Lakers nor the Rockets had the talent available to pull off an individual trade that would be to the liking of the Hornets. Following that announcement came reports that Lamar Odom would be heading from the Lakers to the Dallas Mavericks, indicating that the Lakers are likely targeting Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

In the wake of this non-trade catastrophe is the question of where the Hornets might send Chris Paul. The latest word is that the Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the front-runners for Paul, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports. The Clippers previously discussed dealing for Paul, but those talks broke down when the Clips refused to include Eric Gordon in the deal. Now that the Lakers have fallen out of the picture, the Clippers may present the most attractive option for the Hornets, despite Paul's statements that he would not sign a long-term extension with the Clippers if dealt there.

David Aldridge of NBA.com reports that the Clippers higher-ups will meet on Sunday to discuss what will happen next. He speculates that the Clippers may be willing to move Gordon now that Paul has hit the market once again.

The developments and rumors are flying fast and furious, so stay tuned for more details on this one.

For all news and information regarding the Clippers, please visit Clips Nation.

NBA Free Agency 2011: Caron Butler Signs With Los Angeles Clippers For Reported Three Years, $24 Million

The Los Angeles Clippers on Friday announced the signing of free agent forward Caron Butler to a contract. The deal is worth a reported $24 million over three years, per Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

"Caron completes what we believe to be a playoff caliber starting lineup," said Clippers' Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey in a statement. "His professionalism, leadership abilities and basketball skills are an excellent addition to our existing roster composition and another step in building the culture necessary to create a model of sustainable success."

Butler averaged 15.0 points and 4.1 rebounds last season for the Dallas Mavericks but after starting the first 29 games of the regular season Butler ruptured his right patellar tendon and missed the remainder of the season. Butler, 31, has averaged 16.6 points per game during his nine-year career. The Clippers are Butler's fifth NBA team.

He is expected to start at small forward, joining a front court that includes reigning rookie of the year Blake Griffin and centers Chris Kaman and possibly DeAndre Jordan, who is a restricted free agent.

For more on the Clippers and free agency news, head on over to Clips Nation.

2011 NBA Free Agents: Clippers, Caron Butler Reportedly Agree On 3-Year, $24 Million Deal

According to NBA insider David Aldridge the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to terms with free agent Caron Butler for a reported 3-year, $24 million dollar deal that would send him to a Clips squad that is certainly on the rise. 

Butler, the nine year veteran out of UConn, missed a majority of the 2010-11 season when a knee injury back in January cut his season to only 29 games for the Dallas Mavericks. He still averaged 15 points in around 30 minutes of playing time each game and should provide another spark to the Clip Show led by youngsters Blake Griffin and (for now) Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan. 

Butler can't sign with Los Angeles until Friday at 12:01 a.m. ET (9:01 p.m. PT  tonight) when the NBA's free agency period officially opens. 

For more on the Clippers head over to Clips Nation to get in on the action. 

NBA Trade Rumors 2011: Chris Paul Won't Sign Extension With Clippers

The New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers potentially could have been involved in one of the biggest deals of the 2011 NBA offseason. But there seem to be huge issues for Chris Paul ending up in Donald Sterling's organization.

David Aldridge of NBA.com reports.

Both teams understand Paul's position, but don't feel comfortable moving forward with no assurances he would stay with them after this season.

The Clippers, for example, are very reluctant to include the unprotected first-round pick from Minnesota they currently own in any deal with New Orleans -- which is understandably holding out for the maximum amount possible in exchange for its franchise player -- under the current scenario. A source indicated Wednesday it would be up to the Hornets to lower their demands for Paul to make the deal happen. New Orleans wants a combination of young players and Draft picks for Paul. But the Clippers' package still does not include guard Eric Gordon, the player the Hornets are believed to covet most off of L.A.'s roster.

The Clippers simply want to hold onto too much to keep Paul at this moment. The Clippers refuse to include Gordon, who is probably the critical component to any sort of movement being made on this deal. They also seem reticent to make a move. Instead they seem willing to part with only.

Still, it might be worth it for Los Angeles to hang on to their nucleus if CP3 is only interested in being around as a short-term rental. The fact that he refuses to make a long-term commitment to the team will probably keep the Clippers from throwing in bigger players, instead settling for a much smaller package. Paul might be willing to sign with the Hornets if players like Gordon stick around, but will the Hornets make a deal without him involved?

To discuss the Clippers, head to Clips Nation. To discuss the Hornets, go to At The Hive.

Chris Paul Trade Rumors: Clippers Willing To Deal Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan

There are a lot of teams going after Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets. The best point guard in the NBA is not likely to re-sign in the Big Easy in the 2012 offseason, which means a lot of teams are trying to make a deal with New Orleans before the season arrives.

Many teams have expressed interest in Paul, like the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics. But the Los Angeles Clippers might be the team with the most to offer.

Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan are two young stars who could definitely smoothen the transition from the CP3 era. Both are young talents that could provide instant scoring, rebounding, steals, and other various assets.   Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that both would be involved in a deal for Paul.

The Hornets began to seriously engage in trade discussions for superstar Chris Paul Tuesday, with the Celtics, Clippers, Warriors and Mavericks among the most serious suitors, sources told CBSSports.com.

The Clippers' opening salvo was an offer that included Eric Gordon and restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, with L.A. hoping that the prospect of playing with electrifying forward Blake Griffin and the big stage of Los Angeles would be enticing enough to Paul that he would eventually commit to the team long term.

Paul is also very interested in playing in Los Angeles because of the prospect of playing with Blake Griffin. It would be a really tantalizing combination that would make the Clippers one of the instant draws in the NBA.

To discuss the idea of Paul and the Clippers, check out Clips Nation. To discuss the idea of Gordon and Jordan on the Hornets, head to At The Hive.

NBA Trade Rumors 2011: LA Clippers May Pursue Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince

The Los Angeles Clippers are viewed as a dark horse candidate in the Western Conference for the upcoming season and these next few weeks are critical for the franchise as they attempt to solidify their roster. There have been plenty of rumors swirling in recent days, the most notable of which suggesting the Clips may pursue Caron Butler in free agency or Tayshaun Prince in a deal with the Pistons.

On Butler potentially coming to Los Angeles:

"He sees the Clippers with a more stable foundation of players," one source familiar with Butler's thinking said. "He isn't sure about Deron Williams' future in New Jersey, and having a chance to win will be a big part of this."

Butler played only 29 games in the Dallas Mavericks' title run a season ago, missing the remainder with a right knee injury. At 31 years old, he's checked out healthy again and remains a primary target for several teams looking for a small forward.

And on a potential Prince for Chris Kaman swap:

The Clippers are under the salary cap but want to keep restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan, who will command a lot of attention in the abbreviated free-agency period. Jordan plays the same position as Kaman, whom the Pistons would gladly take off the Clippers' hands.

He has been on the trading block since last season, but contrary to popular belief, the Pistons and Clippers didn't have conversations involving Kaman. That could change this time around, especially with teams likely to make big bids for Nene (Denver), Jordan and Tyson Chandler (Dallas) when free agency officially begins Dec. 9.

Kaman's expiring $12.2 million deal is certainly no drawback. The Pistons would love to find someone to pair alongside Greg Monroe, and Kaman is an accomplished low-post scorer.

These are certainly two rumors that appear to have some solidity and merit to them. Should the Clippers make a move or two, they should have the financial flexibility to bring almost anyone to Los Angeles, especially if they rid themselves of Kaman's contract. These next two weeks are going to be wild with rumors, signings and trades. 

For more on the Clippers and free agency news, head on over to Clips Nation.

NBA Free Agents 2011: Clippers Targeting Nene?

As teams were allowed to contact player representatives for the first time since the beginning of the lockout Wednesday one of the most sought after NBA free agents was Denver Nuggets big man Nene, drawing interest from a number of teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers. 

 The Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and Portland Trail Blazers joined the Clips in contacting Nene's representatives Wednesday, quickly proving that the 29 year old Brazilian is on a lot of teams wish list this holiday season. They all will be jockeying for position to be one of the first suitors to court him starting at midnight of Dec. 9. 

"That will go down to the wire," a source close to Nene said.

It's going to take a pretty penny to have him for next season, though the Nuggets would seem to be the one's who would throw the most money at him after their contract negotiations broke down before the lockout began, causing Nene to pursue free agency in the first place. Hopefully the young nucleus of guys like Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan (and a nice sized contract too) will be appealing to Nene, a team that is definitely building to be a playoff contender. 

For more on the Clippers, head over to Clips Nation.  

NBA Free Agents 2011: LA Clippers Looking To Re-Sign DeAndre Jordan

The Clippers do not have a lot of work to do in free agency, but re-signing DeAndre Jordan is a must.

Clippers Trade Rumors: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul Coveted By Los Angeles

The next few weeks of the NBA offseason are going to be insane. Between the daily updates, practice reports, free agency, and trade rumors, news will be flying left and right out of Los Angeles. 

Two of the huge names to emerge as potential trade targets are Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. ESPN and Chris Broussard have the update:

Now that Blake Griffin plays for L.A.'s other team, the Clippers have become a hot destination franchise. Stacked with young talent, they could offer any combination of Eric Gordon, Mo Williams, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman and Al-Farouq Aminu.

But while the Clippers like Paul, sources say they like Dwight Howard even more. The Clippers have made it clear to executives throughout the league that they will do whatever it takes -- outside of trading Griffin -- to get Howard, who will become a free agent at the same time as Paul, either this season or next summer. So they will not move the players they'll try to use to get Howard to New Orleans for Paul.

Be honest: the idea of some combination of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and/or Dwight Howard on the floor at the same time has to get Clippers fans ecstatic, doesn't it? They'd certainly have the star power to compete in the Western Conference.

As for what it would take to bring Paul or Howard to LA, as Broussard mentions, it would take an absolute ton to lure either of the teams to send their superstar to Staples Center. And with just about every team in the league interested, you can bet the asking price will be astronomical.

Still, though, it says a lot that the Clippers are willing to pursue these players and that both Paul and Howard have interest in playing alongside Griffin. It's going to be an interesting month of December, folks. Strap in and prepare for madness.

2011-2012 Los Angeles Clippers: What To Expect Now That The NBA Lockout is Over

It's going to be hectic when training camps and free agency open simultaneously on Dec. 9, but the Clippers' to do list is pretty clear.