Report: Pacers pursue Granger, Afflalo
If the Los Angeles Clippers find the right deal for coveted guard Eric Bledsoe, they're ready to push the button on that transaction.
Long a target of the Boston Celtics, Bledsoe could instead be moved in a deal to acquire Danny Granger from the Indiana Pacers or Orlando's Arron Afflalo, ESPN.com reported Sunday.
Moving Bledsoe in any deal would likely indicate the high level of confidence from the Clippers that free agent Chris Paul will re-sign in July. Bledsoe, 23, is a scoring point guard who became a key part off the bench for Los Angeles.
Reports of a deal that would bring Celtics coach Doc Rivers to the Clippers first surfaced Friday, and gained steam Saturday.
The Clippers were said to be offering a package of first-round draft picks as well as DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett and the rights to hire Rivers. That unconventional blockbuster might also include Paul Pierce -- who could be bought out. If he's cut loose, getting him into a Clippers uniform would be sorted out after the Garnett-Rivers acquisition is finalized. Pierce is from California and said last year as a free agent he'd like to end his career near his home.
Bledsoe appears to be the key roadblock to that deal. The Celtics want Bledsoe but the Clippers are balking at including the highly-coveted guard in the same trade.
Earlier in the week, reports surfaced that Howard and Clippers star Chris Paul have talked about playing together next year.
The Boston Herald on Saturday said the Celtics are looking to wrap up a deal quickly, and reportedly want a deal in the next day or two or they might walk away.
The Celtics attempted to acquire Bledsoe and Jordan at the trade deadline but the deal fell through.
