Clippers May Offer Odom to Land Williams

There's little doubt that the L.A. Clippers want to solidify their lineup with a top-flight point guard.

Incumbent Jeff McInnis is not expected back. Not if he expects a significant pay raise, anyway. And it just so happens that the Clips have alot to offer in return for an impact floor leader.

Peter Vecsey of the New York Post reports that the Clippers are making a play for Jay Williams. The Clippers are apparently offering Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette and the eighth pick to Houston, for beginners. L.A. also has the 12th overall selection as well.

Such a deal could solidify an impressive core of players. Should the Clippers fail to acquire Williams, it's not improbable to think that the Clips have a legit shot at either Andre Miller or Baron Davis.

Via

Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

Magic surveying their options

The Orlando Magic have never been a team to stand pat and be content with what they have, especially when they were again ousted in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Magic are surveying all their options to improve the team this summer and to make a serious run at the Eastern Conference crown next year.

"What's really disappointing when I watch -- but encouraging at the same time -- is that we weren't that far away," guard Mike Miller said. "We've got to get better, but a good summer and a healthy team, and we're right there next season. I don't think we need to do anything major."

"We want to win now, and as far as personnel and maturity, we're not that far away in the East," said Magic General Manager John Gabriel last week. "I don't know if you can get everything you want in one year, but there's no reason why we can't improve at least a little bit in multiple places."

The Magic have already begun preliminary talks to move up in the draft, confirming that they had contacted the Clippers who own picks 8 and 12 in the draft. Their major need is for a frontcourt player, and their chances are vastly improved from positions 8 to 12 than they are at 18.

"We're looking at a lot of options," Gabriel said. "We'll explore the possibility of moving up [in the draft], to stay in the draft with more picks, and even move out of the draft if we have to, to improve the team. For us, the future is now, this summer."

Via

Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets

Jay to Bulls no lock

While it is true that Houston covets Yao Ming, and it is true that Jerry Krause would love to get his paws in Blue Devil Jay Williams, Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune reports that things may not exactly pan out as planned.

League insiders are reporting that both Golden State and the L.A. Clippers have eyes for Williams, both sides willing to make a move. The Clippers could be the dark horse of the two and have the goods that could entice the Rockets, namely Lamar Odom.

Smith reports that the Clippers reportedly do not intend to re-sign the talented small forward due to the large number of young players coming up for extensions. Odom, once labelled as a Magic Johnson clone, could be just the player the Rockets would be willing to give up the opportunity at Ming for, a package of Odom, the eighth and/or twelfth pick, and the Clippers first pick next year for the first pick and Glen Rice could be enough to get the deal done (according to Smith).

There's also talk Houston will stick with Yao but might try to extract something from the Bulls, like Jamal Crawford or a future No. 1 pick, to pass on the trade offers for Williams.

Via

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors

Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets