Friday, July 4, 2014

Clippers in talks with Nets to get Pierce


The Los Angeles Clippers, looking for roster upgrades, have engaged in conversations with the Brooklyn Nets to try to construct a sign-and-trade that would reunite Paul Pierce with Doc Rivers, ESPN.com reported.

Rivers, the Clippers' president and coach, has had several conversations with Pierce, a small forward, since he became a free agent July 1. It would bring Pierce back under the coaching guidance of Rivers like he had in Boston.

According to ESPN.com, the Clippers could simply sign Pierce as a free agent using their midlevel exception at $5.3 million, but they are interested in pursuing sign-and-trade scenarios that would allow Brooklyn to get something in return for the 10-time All-Star.

Because Brooklyn holds his so-called Bird rights, a sign-and-trade also would allow Pierce - who made $15.3 million last season - to sign for more than the midlevel exception.

Pierce has drawn interest from the Blazers, Grizzlies, Bulls, Mavericks, Rockets and Clippers, sources told ESPN.com.

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The New York Knicks have offered a four-year, $4.8 million contract to Kurt Rambis to be the top assistant coach under Derek Fisher, the New York Post reported.

Rambis, a Los Angeles Lakers assistant last season, remains in the mix for the Lakers' head coaching vacancy and still is mulling the move to New York.

The offer is one of the biggest assistant coaching contracts in league history.

Rambis coached on Phil Jackson's staff with the Lakers and used the triangle as head coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves. (Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com