I DON'T BELIEVE IT: Clippers retain Brand and pursue Arenas. Read on:

The Clippers still expect to match Utah's $7-million-a-year offer to Corey Maggette and are hoping to extend Lamar Odom for a salary in that range.

The Clippers already lost center Michael Olowokandi and signaled they will not match Denver's offer to point guard Andre Miller. However, getting Brand, Odom, Maggette and Arenas would leave them with a deep, talented roster.

It would also give them something they have never had: a stable nucleus, all locked up for years and able to concentrate on the task at hand.

Who got to Sterling to get him to do this? Mike Dunleavy? I'm at a loss. If they sign Brad Miller I'm back on the Clippers bandwagon. Yes, I never learn. But--with this roster--they're at least a "Should Watch" on the old League Pass-o-meter, along with the 03-04 Cavs and Nuggets.