While Dwight Howard would be interested in playing with Chris Paul on the Clippers, the two teams have not engaged in trade talks recently.

A deal for Howard centered around Blake Griffin would surely be something the Magic covet. But sources say the Clippers won't even deal Griffin for Howard.

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Bobby Simmons of the Reno Bighorns.

In 21 games, 18 starts, with the Bighorns this season, Simmons (6-8, 220) averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 32.4 minutes.  
Simmons has scored more than 20 points three times and recorded two double-doubles, including a 19-point, 18-rebound performance on Feb. 18, against the Idaho Stampede.  

The Clippers will sign Bobby Simmons from the D-League to a 10-day contract following the All-Star break.

Simmons had a breakout season with the Clippers in 04-05.

He has been averaging 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Reno Bighorns.

Simmons has a True Shooting Percentage of 60.6% and rebound rate of 14.01%.

Chris Paul expressed confidence in the Clippers’ roster as currently constructed and backed general manager Neil Olshey’s ability to sustain the talent level.

“I definitely think I ended up in a great spot,’’ Paul said. “I think we have just about everything you need to be successful. We have an inside presence with Blake’s shot-blocking ability. We have veteran guys like Caron Butler. We have several guys capable of closing out games in the fourth quarter. That’s what it comes down to a lot in the NBA, the last three or four minutes.’’

The Clippers sit third in the Western Conference behind Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

“We’ve played pretty well, but we can still get a lot better, especially on defense,’’ Paul said. “We’re definitely jelling. I thought we would have more wins than we do now, but that’s how it goes sometimes. We just added Kenyon Martin, but losing Chauncey Billups (out for the season with an Achilles injury) was huge."

Chris Paul has decided to exercise his option to extend his contract for the 2012-13 season.

Paul has averaged 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 8.6 assists in 36.2 minutes over 26 games this season.

He was traded to the Clippers last December.

Kenyon Martin came to Carmelo Anthony’s defense when asked to comment on criticism levied against Anthony by current Nuggets coach George Karl.

"Man, listen, George needs to keep his mouth shut, first and foremost," Martin said. "Melo don't play there no more. So Karl shouldn't be commenting on Melo. If George was such a great coach, then Melo would want to stay. He wouldn't want to leave.”

Karl has often praised his team's new style and how the absence of Anthony has made his job easier.

"If the organization was ran right, he wouldn't want to leave, so it ain't Melo,” Martin said. “With Melo, not one time when he was there [in the Nuggets' locker room] did he bring that in the locker room when all that stuff was going on. Not one day. Everybody made it a bigger deal than it had to be. That's a good kid.

"They act like this kid was a cancer, like he came in there and destroyed the locker room and made everybody hate him. No, it wasn't nothing like that man. And it bothers me for people to be talking about how he's a selfish player and he has to defend himself."

The Knicks officially signed J.R. Smith on Friday.

Smith agreed to join the Knicks over the Clippers, who couldn't offer him as much money.

New York waived Renaldo Balkman to create a roster spot for Smith.

The Knicks are offering J.R. Smith a second-year player option of $2.5 million, which would bring the total value to $4.3 million.

Smith could become a free agent this summer where he would likely find more money available.

The Clippers could only offer $450,000 over two months.

Jermaine Taylor will workout for the Clippers on Friday, according to a source.

The Clippers have been pursuing J.R. Smith, but he appears close to a deal with the Knicks.

Taylor was a second round pick in 2009 by the Washington Wizards, but traded to the Houston Rockets.

The Knicks are close to agreement on a deal with J.R. Smith.

New York will need to cut a player to make room for Smith.

Smith has also been considering the Clippers.