Woj: Brooklyn Nets want J.J. Redick or first rounders in any sign-and-trade for Paul Pierce

The Clippers plan to use their MLE to sign Spencer Hawes Friday, leaving them with no recourse, other than a sign-and-trade, if they want to acquire Paul Pierce. After breaking the news of the signing, Adrian Wojnarowski noted that the Nets have set a high price for Pierce.

Although there's no evidence -- yet -- that Pierce wants to join his hometown Clippers and his old coach, Doc Rivers, there have been indications the last several days that it's possible. Woj, in fact, tweets the Nets have set a price for Pierce.

Unless Clippers are willing to trade J.J. Redick or first-round picks to Nets for Paul Pierce, a sign-and-trade is unlikely, sources tell Y

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 5, 2014

Note that Woj writes "picks" rather than a single "pick."

Early Thursday morning, Ramona Shelburne and Ohm Youngmisuk reported on ESPN.com that the Clippers are offering the Nets some combination "of Jared Dudley, Matt Barnes and last year's first-round pick Reggie Bullock."

Later Thursday, King responded on the Michael Kay Show, saying, "They made a call and inquired, but there's nothing there at this point that makes sense for us." Later, Jackie MacMullan, the Hall of Fame Boston hoops writer, told ESPN's "Between the Lines" that this is "the worst kept secret in basketball, that Paul Pierce would want to go back with Doc Rivers who once called Pierce ‘a professional scorer.’" Ian Eagle, in talking with CBS Sports, agreed. "I think he wants to play for the Clippers. I think Doc Rivers wants him."

With the Nets appearing to have the leverage if Pierce and Rivers want to re-unite, Woj said Rivers would like to restructure the deal.

Doc Rivers trying to work sign-and-trade w/ Cavs for Hawes, preserving Clippers exception to still target Paul Pierce, sources tell Y.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 5, 2014

That, Sam Amick writes, won't be easy.

Although the deal is for the Clippers' midlevel exception, the person said there's still a remote chance it could wind up as a sign-and-trade deal between the Cavaliers and the Clippers. If that turns out to be the case, Hawes' final financial figures could change.

A person with knowledge of the Cavaliers' situation, however, said it had not yet been discussed between the two teams and was unlikely.

The Cavs, in fact, are trying to cut cap space, not add it in a sign-and-trade. They hope to make a bid for LeBron James. That would seem to be a higher priority than making Rivers happy.

But Peter Vecsey points out, there are always other moves.

@MoSilkyMo Nothing is ever ruled out when team wants someone. Doc may be able 2 move Crawford or excess SF, which would free up necessary $

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) July 5, 2014

Redick, a 6'4" shooting guard, averaged 15.2 points per game last season but missed 47 games, including 21 due to a broken hand and partially torn ligament in his wrist and 25 due to a bulging disc in his lower back. The 30-year-old Redick is owed $21 million over the next three years, including $6.7 million next season and $7.4 million in 2016-17 when the Nets want maximum cap flexibility.

In terms of picks, the next first rounder the Clippers have available is 2017.  They also control the Nets 2016 second rounder.

• Spencer Hawes lands four-year contract with Clippers - Sam Amick - USA Today
• Two words: pay Pierce - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Report: Nets want Redick or 1st-round picks from Clippers for Pierce - James Herbert - CBS Sports