Dudley, Barnes or Bullock could be included in the deal.
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly in talks with the Brooklyn Nets over a potential sign-and-trade move to reunite Paul Pierce with coach Doc Rivers.
It is understood that Rivers has had several conversations with Pierce since he became a free agent on July 1, and with such upheaval planned in Brooklyn, it is unlikely the veteran will remain, ESPN reports.
Following suggestions that the franchise made a $144m loss last season due to their expensively assembled roster which failed to deliver immediate success, coach Jason Kidd was moved on to the Milwaukee Bucks after having a request for more control rejected.
While the Clippers could simply sign Pierce as a free agent using their mid-level exception at $5.3m, they are also contemplating sign-and-trade offers that would allow Brooklyn to get something in return for the 10-time All-Star.
With so many options at small forward, the Clippers could choose to include any one of the likes of Jared Dudley, Matt Barnes or Reggie Bullock, although there is additional talk that the deal could involve other teams too.
Having already lost Shaun Livingston to the Golden State Warriors, the Nets are seemingly set to break up most of the roster they had last year, with Pierce already receiving interest from a number of teams including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.
However, with the focus still on Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James to name but a few of the high profile free agents, it is likely to be a few days yet until the picture becomes clearer for Pierce and the other veterans on the market.
Pierce’s decision is also likely to have an impact on long-time team-mate Kevin Garnett, who was expected to return for the final year of his contract which is worth $12m.
Having supported Kidd through tough times last season, Garnett may well re-think his future, particularly if Pierce is also likely to move on.
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