There's little doubt that the L.A. Clippers want to solidify their lineup with a top-flight point guard.

Incumbent Jeff McInnis is not expected back. Not if he expects a significant pay raise, anyway. And it just so happens that the Clips have alot to offer in return for an impact floor leader.

Peter Vecsey of the New York Post reports that the Clippers are making a play for Jay Williams. The Clippers are apparently offering Lamar Odom, Corey Maggette and the eighth pick to Houston, for beginners. L.A. also has the 12th overall selection as well.

Such a deal could solidify an impressive core of players. Should the Clippers fail to acquire Williams, it's not improbable to think that the Clips have a legit shot at either Andre Miller or Baron Davis.

The Orlando Magic have never been a team to stand pat and be content with what they have, especially when they were again ousted in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.  Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the Magic are surveying all their options to improve the team this summer and to make a serious run at the Eastern Conference crown next year.

"What's really disappointing when I watch -- but encouraging at the same time -- is that we weren't that far away," guard Mike Miller said. "We've got to get better, but a good summer and a healthy team, and we're right there next season. I don't think we need to do anything major."

"We want to win now, and as far as personnel and maturity, we're not that far away in the East," said Magic General Manager John Gabriel last week. "I don't know if you can get everything you want in one year, but there's no reason why we can't improve at least a little bit in multiple places."

The Magic have already begun preliminary talks to move up in the draft, confirming that they had contacted the Clippers who own picks 8 and 12 in the draft.  Their major need is for a frontcourt player, and their chances are vastly improved from positions 8 to 12 than they are at 18.

"We're looking at a lot of options," Gabriel said. "We'll explore the possibility of moving up [in the draft], to stay in the draft with more picks, and even move out of the draft if we have to, to improve the team. For us, the future is now, this summer."

While it is true that Houston covets Yao Ming, and it is true that Jerry Krause would love to get his paws in Blue Devil Jay Williams, Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune reports that things may not exactly pan out as planned.

League insiders are reporting that both Golden State and the L.A. Clippers have eyes for Williams, both sides willing to make a move.  The Clippers could be the dark horse of the two and have the goods that could entice the Rockets, namely Lamar Odom.

Smith reports that the Clippers reportedly do not intend to re-sign the talented small forward due to the large number of young players coming up for extensions.  Odom, once labelled as a Magic Johnson clone, could be just the player the Rockets would be willing to give up the opportunity at Ming for, a package of Odom, the eighth and/or twelfth pick, and the Clippers first pick next year for the first pick and Glen Rice could be enough to get the deal done (according to Smith).

There's also talk Houston will stick with Yao but might try to extract something from the Bulls, like Jamal Crawford or a future No. 1 pick, to pass on the trade offers for Williams.

Dwain Price of the Star Telegram writes that Dallas is already thinking of ways it can improve its interior defense this offseason, after this weakness was badly exposed by the Sacramento Kings.

Mark Cuban will have discussions with agent Bill Duffy about possibly acquiring LA Clippers center Michael Olowakandi.  Olowakandi is a restricted free agent, but there has been tension between him and the Clippers, so it may be possible to acquire him somehow.

Also, Wang Zhizhi will become a restricted free agent this offseason, which may spell complications for the Mavericks.  Wang's next contract will be signed under new Chinese legislation that will require him to give half his income to the Chinese government.  Given how complicated the last negotiation for Wang was, the Mavs expect the next to be difficult as well.

You can already cross the Los Angeles Clippers off Duke forward Mike Dunleavy?s desired destination list, ESPN's David Aldridge reporting Sunday that if the Clippers receive one of the top picks in the June 26 NBA draft, Dunleavy will pull his name from consideration and return to Duke for his senior season.

The order of the draft lottery will be determined May 19. Dunleavy has until June 19 to withdraw from the draft.