Of the various teams attached to Paul Pierce?s name during the most recent trade rumor season, the Los Angeles Clippers seemed to be one that repeatedly bubbled to the top.

If only there was actually some substance to this talk, according to the two players who have made the Clippers a truly feared team this season.

?Any team would like to have Paul Pierce,? said Sam Cassell, the much-traveled guard who has brought a spark to the historically moribund franchise. ?I wouldn?t be upset of getting him (in a trade).

?He?s a great go-to-guy,? he said. ?Paul?s a helluva player.?

Though the Clippers wouldn?t dare make the move now, at one point two years ago a Pierce-for-Elton Brand swap had actually been discussed (both players are even a salary match).