NBA Free Agents 2014: LA Clippers Want LeBron James; Could Blake Griffin Be Traded to Miami Heat?

The Los Angeles Clippers are now in the mix for the possible LeBron James sweepstakes this summer. The team will make a run at the Miami Heat superstar when he hits free agency this summer, reports indicated on Wednesday.  

ESPN reported that the Clippers will look to acquire James in the offseason and will look to outbid other potential suitors, including the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sources said that the Heat are still favored to retain James, especially if they win another title this season, but a source cited by ESPN insisted that James is ready to listen to all teams in the offseason, even teams that have no cap space to sign him outright.

"If LeBron decides to look at other options, it won't just be teams with cap space. He has 30 options if he wants them," the source said.

The Clippers, unlike the Lakers and the Cavaliers, will have no cap space to sign James to a maximum contract in the offseason, which means that a sign-and-trade should be made in order to make the James-to-Clippers scenario feasible.

A sign-and-trade scenario will be easier said than done, since it will take Miami's cooperation to make it happen, but another source added that James could force his way into any team if he wants to.

A sign-and-trade deal between the Clippers and the Heat could be amenable to Miami if Los Angeles will include Blake Griffin in the deal.

Chris Paul is not expected to be dealt by the Clippers because he could be the reason why James decides to play for the Clippers, considering their close relationship.

"Under any scenario, the Clippers would have to make another maneuver to make a sign-and-trade work, primarily to shed some salary to get under the luxury tax. But it is not that complicated. The bottom line is this: If the Clippers were interested and James got interested, there's a deal that could be done whether it involves Griffin or another package of players," ESPN noted.

Neither team is expected to talk about any potential trade scenarios anytime soon, as both teams are focused on their title campaigns this season, but talks are expected to intensify in the offseason, especially if the Clippers and the Heat fail to win the title this season.