According to David Vassegh of AM 570, the L.A. Lakers will pursue Sam Cassell at the request of Kobe Bryant.

The Clippers were rumored to be only willing to offer Cassell a one-year deal.

If the Lakers offer a multi-year deal, it may entice either Cassell to head to the Lakers or the Clippers to also make a multi-year offer.

The Los Angeles Clippers today exercised the club?s fourth year contract option on guard Shaun Livingston.

Livingston, who was selected by the Clippers as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, begins his third NBA season and is now signed through the 2007-08 campaign. Under the NBA?s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Clippers had the right to exercise this contract option.  Livingston will now become a restricted free agent following the 2007-08 season, with the Clippers holding the right of first refusal.

For the Clippers, success may come at a price. The team is expected to offer Sam Cassell a one-year contract for more than $6 million, but are reluctant to offer him a multi-year contract.

Cassell is up there in age at 37, but was an instrumental piece of the Clippers puzzle in achieving playoffs success.