This summer, Elton Brand can elect to opt out of his contract to become a free agent, but owner Donald Sterling does not anticipate that happening.

"One, based on my conversation with Elton, he's not going to opt out," Sterling told the Los Angeles Times. "And two, whatever he asks for, I think he deserves. He is our franchise player; we need him. You saw a short time ago we were pretty close to being a special team, and now without him you see how difficult it is."