From Gary Woelfel at TheJournalTimes.com:
The Los Angeles Clippers have intensified their interest in Sessions and appear on the brink of making a strong pitch for him.
The scuttlebutt around the NBA is the Clippers and Bucks are discussing a sign-and-trade scenario with Sessions, a restricted free agent, being the central figure.
The Clippers would ideally like to include point guard Sebastian Telfair in the deal, and have also tossed out some other possibilities, including a draft pick.
If the Clippers can’t come to an agreement with the Bucks on a sign-and-trade arrangement, there are growing indications they’ll extend an offer sheet to Sessions.
Don’t hold your breath on this one. The ball is still in New York’s court, and the Clippers are likely content with waiting to see what the Knicks decide. If the Knicks eventually decide to sign someone other than Sessions, the Clippers would then become the only legitimate option remaining. At that point, Sessions would likely be much more willing to sign an offer sheet. The Clippers may be able to save themselves millions of dollars if they continue to wait this thing out.
The sign and trade option makes sense for the Sessions’ camp, but not for the Clippers. Why would the Clippers need to give the Bucks a draft pick? They’re negotiating with Sessions, not with the Bucks. Telfair should be plenty of bait for a team that is unwilling to match a substantial offer in the first place.
All the Clippers have to do is wait out the Knicks and hope they go in a different direction. Once that happens, all the bargaining power with Sessions will be on their side of the table. Giving up valuable assets like future draft picks, or inking a deal well over fair market value are really the only two ways the Clippers can mess this thing up.
There are plenty of good free agents on the market. The team would be well served to sit back and continue to let this thing play out.
