Why not go after Stevie Franchise?

[BHayley]

He'll be bought out, so we can sign him for the veteran minimum (what Webber got). I doubt he'd want to come here. Worth the idea though

[BHayley]

I exaggerated a bit. He is an injury prone machine

[ncthompson11]

I really wouldnt mind it much. I think a fresh start could help him out sort of what baron davis got in golden state and I think we would just have an explosive year possibly and be one of our leaders. However there could be another scenario where he gets injured and has a speedy type year.

[jezmund]

Uh no...

[beav]

It sounds like the clippers are making a big run at him, and his friendship with mobley may be big...

Clippers aim to get Francis

Sources say L.A. hopes to use part of its mid-level exception to sign the recently traded guard, who could become a free agent this week.

By Jason Reid, Times Staff Writer

July 2, 2007

Moving to bolster the team at point guard, the Clippers are pursuing three-time All-Star Steve Francis, who could become a free agent this week, league and team sources said Sunday.

The Portland Trail Blazers, who acquired the eight-year veteran Thursday, are expected to buy out the final two years and $34.25 million of Francis' contract, freeing him to agree to terms elsewhere after he clears waivers. Teams cannot sign players until July 11.

General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy are also interested in Jason Hart, who joined the team late last season, and Brevin Knight, but Francis is potentially the team's highest-profile option.

The Clippers hope to sign Francis, 30, for a portion of the mid-level exception, reuniting him with his longtime friend, guard Cuttino Mobley.

Francis and Mobley played together in Houston and Orlando, and Mobley's presence might give the Clippers an edge in reaching a deal, sources said.

Francis and the Clippers, however, are in a holding pattern because of NBA rules.

Until medical examinations are completed, the league won't approve the five-player trade that brought Francis and center Channing Frye to Portland and sent power forward Zach Randolph and guards Dan Dickau and Fred Jones to New York. Portland must wait for the deal to be finalized before the buyout negotiated by Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, can take effect.

Attempts to contact Fried, Baylor and Dunleavy were unsuccessful Sunday, but sources said acquiring Francis is the Clippers' top off-season priority.

Sam Cassell turns 38 in November, Shaun Livingston is recovering from a severe knee injury and Daniel Ewing's contract option was declined, so the Clippers say they need help at the point.

The Clippers drafted point guard Jared Jordan of Marist in the second round (No. 45 overall), and he's expected to compete with Guillermo Diaz, the team's second selection in last year's draft, and Will Conroy to be the third point guard on the roster.

The Clippers envision Cassell and Francis sharing duties, sources said, and Francis also could be an effective scorer off the bench at the other guard spot while Cassell runs the offense.

Francis averaged 11.3 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 44 games for New York in the 2006-07 season, but has career averages of 18.4 points, 6.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 566 games. Three times, Francis averaged at least 21 points, 6.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds.

Acquired by the Knicks before the 2005-06 trading deadline, Francis never seemed comfortable in New York, stirring questions about whether he could still be productive. In the Knicks' final four games, Francis averaged 25 points.

jason.reid@latimes.com