Clippers centre Deandre Jordan being highly sought after by teams around the league

It's likely going to be a busy summer with Deandre Jordan who is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer once free agency starts.          

There's no doubt he has been highly sought after
by teams, particularly the Knicks, Mavericks, Bucks and Lakers with the Mavericks emerging as the frontrunner teams to sign him that is not the Clippers. Deandre earned the right to receive this kind of interest after having a career year for the Clips and becoming an All-NBA centre.

Jordan first meeting will be with the Mavs on Wednesday. The Knicks and Lakers will meet him later in the day. The Clippers will meet with him last. The meeting will involve Doc, Steve Balmer and a video presentation.

There have also been reports that Kobe Bryant called DJ and laid a pitch to convince him to change halls at the Staples Centre and join the Lakers, also, reports of Chandler Parsons hanging out with the Texas-born Deandre to help recruit him. Although the free-agency has Clipper fans on the edge of their seats it's important to remember that no team in the league can offer Deandre more money and security than the Clips.

Acquiring Lance Stephenson is only the beginning for the Clips

On a surface level the trade the Clippers made for Lance Stephenson involving the removal of Matt Barnes and Spencer Hawes doesn't seen like a game-changer.  Especially with him coming off a disaster of a season with the Charlotte Hornets. However, Lance's arrival indicates the start of a new era for the Clippers along with their logo and uniform changes. A new era.

Despite peoples doubts, this could be the trade that saves the clips' future, the acquisition that finally pushes them over the top. The Clippers needed toughness and a feisty guard who could play defence and Stephenson excelled in this role in Indiana. He also brings an ability to create his own shot and handle the ball. Although these qualities dwindle during his time with the Hornets if he can re-discover his Pacer form this will be a fantastic move for the Clips, easily the best Doc Rivers has made during his rocky time as Clippers President of Basketball Operations.

It has been made clear that Stephenson wasn't suited to be a top option in an offense but maybe better as a 3rd or 4th and that's what he would be in the Clippers' clear-cut hierarchy. Stephenson's struggles last season were well known. His  production fell to just 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game with 37.6 percent shooting from the field and 17.1 percent from three point range (a decline of 18 percent from the previous season).

Essentially, Stephenson’s career wasn't meant to continue in Charlotte. But it’s not as though his athleticism, versatility and defensive abilities have suddenly disappeared.

If the trade doesn't pay off and Stephen continues with his rough form then due to the fact he has a team option at the end of the season means the Clips can let him go if things go awry. This is a contract year for lance and he needs to play well if he wants a long term, stable contract. It was a move the Clippers needed to make. Lets just hope it pays off.

LA Clippers to Play Raptors in Preseason Game in Vancouver as part of NBA Canada Series

The Los Angeles Clippers will play the Toronto Raptors in a Preseason game on Oct 4th. The game will take place at the Rogers arena in  Vancouver as part of the 4th annual NBA Canada series. This marks the first time the Clippers franchise has taken part in the series and is also the organisations first visit to Vancouver in over 10 years. 

The NBA Canada series will feature 5 teams - Clippers, Raptors, Bulls, Timberwolves and Wizards playing games in various locations all over Canada. It is also worth mentioning the Clippers organisation will be taking part in the NBA global games series in China during the 2015-16 Preseason with them playing the Charlotte Hornets in Shanghai.