Los Angeles Clippers coach and president Doc Rivers is reportedly still interested in signing Washington Wizards veteran Paul Pierce in free agency this summer. Rivers also reportedly plans to push hard for soon-to-be free agent DeAndre Jordan, whom a separate report indicates is interested in the Dallas Mavericks.
After failing to bring Pierce to Los Angeles last summer, Rivers reportedly plans to try again this summer.
"The Clippers remain interested in bringing small forward Paul Pierce to Los Angeles, a league source told us today, but that Pierce would first have to opt out of his current contract with the Washington Wizards, which he can do," Robert Morales of InsideSoCal wrote Monday.
Pierce, who has a $5.5 million player option on next season, said earlier in the season he had wanted to sign with the Clippers but was unable to because of how the Brooklyn Nets handled his free agency. The 37-year-old veteran ended up finding a fit in Washington, where he provided championship experience and turned in big games during the postseason. Although Pierce hasn't indicated whether he'd opt out, let alone if he'd even return for another season, NBA.com's David Aldridge speculated in May that Pierce may head to Los Angeles for a reunion with his former coach.
"Maybe Paul Pierce will walk away from the second year of his deal ($5.5 million) in Washington in order to finish his career in his hometown, playing for his old Celtics coach and his former teammate-turned-Clippers assistant Sam Cassell for less money," Aldridge wrote May 25.
The Clippers will be strapped for cash this summer, meaning Pierce would have to be OK for with a cheap salary for what will likely be his last contract before retirement.
While Pierce may be a target for the Clippers, Rivers's top priority has to be re-signing Jordan. Morales reported Rivers plans to push hard for Jordan, whose purported rift with Chris Paul makes him more likely to test the market.
On top of the rumored rift, Jordan also is reportedly frustrated with being the third-wheel on a team that seems unable to get out of the second round of the playoffs. Reports claim Jordan, a native of Texas, is "extremely interested" in the Mavericks.
Other teams expected to pursue Jordan include the New York Knicks, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers, if LaMarcus Aldridge leaves in free agency.
