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The Los Angeles Clippers could very well be facing an unfamiliar new era come next season, with two centerpieces placing one foot out the door. For much of the last decade, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette have served as faces for the franchise. The pair took another step together Monday when both used options in their contracts to become attractive, unrestricted free agents, bypassing the final year of their respective contracts.

When reached by phone, Brand said he is aiming to re-sign with the Clippers. He is a two-time All-Star who has been with the team since 2001-02 but played in only eight games last season while recuperating from a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Now, the Clippers must decide whether they are willing to offer him a new maximum contract that could command $120 million over six years.

"It means I'm a free agent, but my intentions are to stay with the Clippers," said Brand, who was owed $16.44 million if he remained in his former contract. "That's always been my intention."

Maggette, the longest-tenured Clipper, who came to the team in the 2000-01 season, will also become highly sought-after and is believed to be seeking a deal of about $10 million a year. He was owed $7 million had he remained in his last contract, and the Clippers have maintained they hope to re-sign him. However, a sign-and-trade with him could also be in the team's plans. As with Brand, under free-agency rules, the Clippers can offer Maggette a higher salary for six years, in comparison with the five years that other teams can tender. Maggette, 28, averaged 22.1 points a game for the Clippers last season. He has long been among owner Donald T. Sterling's favorite players but has butted heads with Coach Mike Dunleavy.

Source: Los Angeles Times