LeBron James

By Matt Moore, Jun. 25, 2014, Cbs.sports.com

ESPN reports that you can add the Clippers to the list of teams that plan to make a run at LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency, despite a lack of cap space, but that Blake Griffin is "untouchable" in any circumstances.

The Los Angeles Clippers have strong interest in pursuing LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony if they can clear the requisite salary cap space to make a maximum-level offer to the superstars, who have both elected to become free agents starting July 1.

One player they have no interest in moving, however, is forward Blake Griffin. While the Clippers would need to move significant players and money to make a run at either James or Anthony, sources told ESPN that Clippers president and coach Doc Rivers has told Griffin on numerous occasions that he considers him "untouchable" in any trade.

via Los Angeles Clippers consider Blake Griffin untouchable in free-agent pursuit, according to sources - ESPN Los Angeles.

This has been floating out there for a while, and Tuesday it was reported that while Miami is James' main choice, he is intrigued by the idea of the Clippers. And it makes sense. James has known Clippers point guard Chris Paul since they were kids. They were groomsmen for each other's weddings, and Paul is godfather to one of LeBron's sons. That relationship is stronger than that of James and Anthony, and even that of James and fellow Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Los Angeles offers him proximity to the entertainment complex in Hollywood, which James is becoming further and further invested in. (He has two films reportedly in production.) It enables him to play in LA without teaming with Kobe Bryant and dealing with the complicated egos there. He gets to play with Doc Rivers whom he has long respected from their playoff battles. Don't get confused, this isn't fantasy. If the Clippers can seriously figure out a deal, this could happen.