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djsunyc
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Sources: Pierce-for-Maggette deal in works
By Sam Amico
Oct. 10, 2005
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers have been discussing a trade that would send Celtics swingman Paul Pierce to the Clippers for swingman Corey Maggette, sources told ProBasketballNews.com late Sunday.
Other players are also said to be involved.
“They have been working on a deal for the majority of the summer, and it appears the talk is heating up,” a high-ranking Eastern Conference official said. “There’s no doubt the Clippers have been dangling Maggette, and Boston seems pretty tempted.”
Later, a Western Conference general manager responded to an e-mail from PBN.com that asked if he was aware of the possible deal.
“I don’t know specifics, but I do know the Celtics are listening to offers for Pierce,” the GM wrote. “I know it because they hinted about (trading Pierce) to us in July. .. (Other GMs) I’ve spoken with in recent weeks have told me the Celtics really like Maggette.”
Members of the Celtics and Clippers front offices did not respond to e-mails and phone calls seeking comment as of Sunday at midnight Eastern.
This is the second time in the past two months at least one source has told PBN.com that Boston was trying to deal Pierce to the Clippers. In August, an Eastern Conference scout said Celtics coach Doc Rivers “desperately wants Pierce out, but he and (Celtics GM Danny) Ainge seem to be at odds” over the matter. The source added that the Celtics were talking to the Clippers, but did not mention Maggette.
Meanwhile, the New York Post reported Sunday that the Clippers are entertaining offers for Maggette and forward Chris Wilcox.
When the Eastern Conference source was asked if he knew any more details of the discussions between Boston and L.A., he told PBN.com, “No. All I know is a couple of guys I trust around the league have told me about it, and that Pierce and Maggette are the main pieces.”
The Western Conference GM added, “… Obviously it is something that would have to involve more than Pierce and Maggette. I don’t usually read the Post, and from what I understand, it has a questionable reputation when it comes to NBA trades. But it would not surprise me if Wilcox was involved in the deal.”
Both sources said they felt a trade between the teams was “probable” -- although the Eastern Conference source said, “Don’t expect either team to admit it, and these things can indeed fall through. But they have been talking. Otherwise, it would mean a lot of people who I have never known to lie to me are suddenly lying.”
Pierce, 27, played in all 82 games last season and averaged 21.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Celtics -- who won the Atlantic Division before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Indiana. Pierce is entering his eighth year in the league, all in Boston.
Maggette, 25, averaged 22.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 66 games last season. The Clippers finished 37-45 and failed to make the playoffs.
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you might mistake Magette for the better player.
10/10/2005 12:15 PM
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