It has become abundantly clear over the past few days that the Los Angeles Clippers are going to do everything within their power to re-sign perennial All-Star point guard Chris Paul to a long-term deal. Paul and Dwight Howard are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 and appear to have uncertain futures with neither player wanting to commit to the Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers before testing free agency.
In the last 48 hours, the Clippers have been extremely aggressive in their pursuit of a blockbuster deal that may very well convince Paul the team is dedicated to winning and winning now. The Clippers are currently trying to pull off a deal to bring head coach Doc Rivers and future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles in exchange for draft picks, Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan.
Along with attempting to pull off arguably the biggest trade in franchise history outside of the Paul deal a few years back, the Clippers are interested in acquiring Dwight in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers.
Obviously, the Lakers don’t want to trade within their division even if Dwight is set on leaving the team. The Clippers were said to be offering a package of Blake Griffin and Bledsoe, but the Lakers have made it clear they have no intention of trading Dwight one way or the other.
At this point in time, there’s no telling what moves will ultimately be made by the Clippers. The team is determined to get something done before the start of free agency, but Dwight won’t be in the equation. Garnett, Rivers and potentially Paul Pierce heading to Los Angeles seems to be the more likely scenario.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers Rumors: Houston Rockets to Offer Asik and Lin for Dwight Howard
Lakers Rumors: Personnel Might Stay Same Even if Dwight Howard Walks
Lakers Rumors: Team Hoping to Retain Dwight Howard, But Remain Open
Lakers Nation Tweets of the Week: Coach Jason Kidd, More From Kobe
Lakers Trainer Gary Vitti Wants Better Moderation of Nash’s Minutes
Clippers Plan to Offer Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe for Dwight Howard
Lakers Should Give it 1 More Shot: A Case for Bringing the Boys Back
Lakers News: Kobe Selects ‘The Last Chapter’ as New Slogan
Gary Vitti Discusses How Dwight Howard’s Back Injury Affected Season
VIDEO: Top 5 Steve Nash Plays of 2012-13
Sources: Lakers Won’t Agree to Dwight Howard Sign-and-Trade
Lakers News: Don’t Buy into Kobe Bryant Retirement After Next Season
Gary Vitti Says Last Season was Worst Injury Plagued Season in 29 Years
Lakers Trainer Gary Vitti Breaks Down How Minutes Played Affects Injuries
Lakers Trainer Gary Vitti Discusses Steve Nash’s Broken Fibula
Lakers News
Brian Shaw is First One Up to Talk to Clippers About Head Coach Job [LA Times]
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Parents Reach Settlement on Auction Items [LA Times]
Lakers’ Dwight Howard Steps Up to Line, Fields Questions on Future [LA Times]
No Dancing Around it, Madsen Wants to Coach [OC Register]
Kobe’s Parents Apologize, Settle Memorabilia Feud [OC Register]
Ding: Dwight and His Drama are Worth it [OC Register]
Lakers Confident Howard Returns [Silver Screen & Roll]
Lakers Hold Draft Workout for Six Prospects [Silver Screen & Roll]
NBA News
Source: Clippers Reluctant to Trade Eric Bledsoe to Celtics [Sports City]
Gregg Popovich Only Says 89 Words in Pithy Press Conference [Sports City]
2013 NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs Game 5 Preview [Sports City]
NBA Finals: Tim Duncan Calls Game 5 ‘Must-Win’ for Spurs [Sports City]
Spurs’ Manu Ginobili to Consider Retirement During NBA Off-Season [Sports City]
Doc to the Clips Apparently Derailed [SB Nation]
Manu’s Decline [SB Nation]
What to Expect in Game 5 [SB Nation]
Nerlens Noel Meets with Wizards and Talks Draft, Hair Style [Pro Basketball Talk]
Popovich Says at Shootaround No Lineup Changes… Probably [Pro Basketball Talk]
Jason Terry Says Knee Pain Forced Him to be Cautious This Season [Pro Basketball Talk]
