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The Los Angeles Clippers reached out to the representatives of guard Eric Gordon and center DeAndre Jordan early Wednesday morning to discuss a contract extension for Gordon and a new contract for Jordan, who is a restricted free agent, general manager Neil Olshey told ESPNLosAngeles.com.


"The first phone calls from our organization today were in regard to our own players," Olshey said. "We're committed to the core group we have. We've been building slowly and we're in a great position to capitalize on that now with our cap flexibility. But we know that our existing players are a priority."


Under the expected terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, which has yet to be ratified, Gordon would be eligible for a four-year extension on his rookie contract. Previously those type of extensions had to be completed by the beginning of the season, but because of the lockout, it's unknown when that deadline will be. If Gordon and the Clippers cannot come to an agreement on an extension, he would become a restricted free agent after this season, giving him the right to sign an offer sheet elsewhere that the Clippers could match.

A league source said Jordan's preference is to remain with the Clippers, but that he will entertain other offers and wouldn't hesitate to sign elsewhere.


Re-signing Jordan is also seen as an important to the Clippers longterm future because of his close relationship with forward Blake Griffin.


"If we put the pieces around Blake and DeAndre Jordan and Eric Gordon and the rest of the talent we have, that can win at a high level, that's what's going to impress everybody," Olshey said.


"We've made no secret that keeping this core group together and then building upon it, through free agency, through trades, through the draft, is how we're going to have sustainable success."

Ramona Shelburne, ESPN Los Angeles

jflipclip wrote:Wiretap/LA Times says Gordon received extension offer and Clippers willing to match any offers Deandre gets. That's good news.

Clippers Offer Gordon Four-Year Extension, Will Match Offers For DeAndre Jordan


Los Angeles Clippers general manager Neil Olshey said he spoke on Wednesday with Eric Gordon's agent, Rob Pelinka, about a four-year extension for his client. Pelinka didn't return phone calls seeking a comment.

Gordon, who averaged 22.3 points last season, is in the final year of a deal that pays him $3.8 million.

"Eric knows that he's a priority," Olshey said. "So does Rob, and so do we."

The Clippers also plan to match any offer center DeAndre Jordan, a restricted free agent, might get.

The Clippers have about $13 million to spend on free agents; they have a payroll of $45 million, far below the salary cap of $58 million.

MoLakers wrote:possibly kaman for s&t prince. read it somewhere.. works for both teams. prince comin back home, manning the 3. mo, ej, tay, blake, dj and hope for some monster trade for d12 or cp3. even without the monster trade, that 5 would be a real solid 5.

Det the Threat wrote:

MoLakers wrote:possibly kaman for s&t prince. read it somewhere.. works for both teams. prince comin back home, manning the 3. mo, ej, tay, blake, dj and hope for some monster trade for d12 or cp3. even without the monster trade, that 5 would be a real solid 5.

Kaman's expiring contract would be needed for any of those "monster trades" and dealing him for an unrestricted agent like Prince would be really bad management, IMO.

If the Los Angeles Clippers are content to have restricted free-agent center DeAndre Jordan bring them back an offer sheet to match, the line of suitors is long and serious, league executives said. The Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Hornets, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are teams with salary-cap space considering multiyear offers for Jordan. …

The Clippers are likely to wait for Jordan, a restricted free agent, to get an offer sheet.

Sean Deveney, of Sporting News, noted in his Twitter feed that Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has enough suitors to make the Clippers nervous. He lists the Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Hornets as teams with interest.

The Clippers are likely to wait for Jordan, a restricted free agent, to get an offer sheet. They’d have three days to match (under the new rules) and if the numbers are reasonable, they intend to retain DJ.

Should Jordan get too massive an offer, they may decide instead to stick with incumbent center Chris Kaman. Kaman is in the last year of his contract and not thrilled at the notion of splitting time in LA with DeAndre.

Chris is trade bait for the Clippers as they look to add star power and/or an elite small forward. If Kaman is sent out, the Clippers are mindful that they need a capable third big in his place. To that end, they’re not willing to overpay a role player in what could be an expensive market.

Eric Pincus, HoopsWorld

Jerry Zgoda: Yahoo!Sports reports that Wolves are 1 of 7 teams set to speak w/ UFA Jamal Crawford on Mon, are 1 of 5 teams that may make DeAndre J offer 3 minutes ago