The Brooklyn Nets were not expecting to have this kind of offseason. The team was expecting to make some minor roster adjustments a re-sign most of their outgoing free agents. Instead, they lost head coach Jason Kidd to the Milwaukee Bucks. Shaun Livingston signed with the Golden State Warriors and Deron Williams is once again undergoing ankle surgery. Now, Paul Pierce is looking good as gone.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com is reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers are in hot pursuit of Pierce who is a free agent. The forward was traded to Brooklyn with one year remaining on his contract and now has the opportunity to reunite with former coach Doc Rivers who was traded the same time Pierce and Kevin Garnett were. The Clippers have multiple options when it comes to acquiring Pierce. They could simply sign him in free agency. The team has a $5.3 million midlevel exception. However, the Clippers are hoping to execute a sign-and-trade in order for the veteran to make more.
Brooklyn owns the Bird rights to Pierce meaning if they negotiate a sign-and-trade, Pierce can earn more than $5.3 million. Considering he made $15.3 million last season, that would likely win the Clippers the forward in free agency. Shelburne is reporting that right now, Los Angeles is willing to throw in a combination of Jared Dudley and Matt Barnes along with last year's first-round draft pick, Reggie Bullock.
Right now, the Nets are not sold on the deal. They are hoping to re-sign Pierce by using the return of Garnett as the recruiting piece. Garnett and Pierce were a packaged deal in the Boston Celtics trade last season. One would not go unless the other one did. Many assumed it would be that way again this year. Garnett is expected to opt in to his option this offseason meaning Pierce would be expected to stay. However, with the currently dismantling of the Nets roster, there is not much incentive.
The Clippers will not pull this deal off immediately. They are still hoping to land either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James in free agency. Los Angeles is on the visiting list for both players. If they feel they can land one of the two superstars, Pierce might not be a priority. Of course having the midlevel exception makes the signing possible no matter what, but ideally the Clippers would like not use up more cap space.
The Clippers are also planning on meeting with free agents like Spencer Hawes and Trevor Ariza who are expected to receive nice pay raises. Los Angeles would also like to retain guard Darren Collison for the long-term as well.
