As the Boston Celtics continue working to include forward Tayshaun Prince in a trade package, the organization plans to be accommodating with him on a contract buyout after the trade deadline should no deal emerge, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

As a free agent, Prince could become the most coveted player on the market this month – with the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers promising to be strong contenders, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Prince is a native of Los Angeles.

Prince, 34, is still capable of delivering solid minutes off the bench for a contender. The balance of his $7.7 million expiring deal makes it hard for Boston to find short-term expiring contracts in return for Prince.

After missing out on Amar'e Stoudemire, the Clippers' best chance to improve themselves for the playoff run will be securing a player – preferably Prince – on the free-agent market. For now, they simply don't have assets to make a deal for a difference-maker.

Nevertheless, the Clippers have probed the market with Jamal Crawford to see if there's a way to acquire a first-round pick that could help them make a competitive offer to Denver for Wilson Chandler or Arron Afflalo, league sources said. The Clippers have also had a continuing interest with Phoenix's Gerald Green, sources said.

The Clippers need a wing player so badly, they even took a hard look at Charlotte's Lance Stephenson in recent weeks, sending a scout to observe him for two games, league sources said. The Clippers moved on, without pursuing serious discussions.

Sacramento coach George Karl could try to add one assistant to the Kings staff for the balance of this season – perhaps Philadelphia's Vance Walberg – but he's already started to formulate possibilities for next season and beyond.

Among them, Karl plans to consider the assistant-coaching candidacy of Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The Spurs hired the NBA's first full-time female assistant, Becky Hammon, this season. Lieberman coached the Dallas Mavericks' D-League team, leading it to the playoffs in 2010. She was also a GM and coach in the WNBA.

Several teams are hoping Jameer Nelson finds his way to a contract buyout and free agency this month, but currently Denver has no plans to cut him loose, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Nelson has a guaranteed deal for 2015-16, and Denver acquired him in a trade for Nate Robinson with the idea of keeping him.

Minnesota has two veterans open to moves to contenders – Kevin Martin and Thaddeus Young – but T'wolves president and coach Flip Saunders has shown little inclination to trade them, league sources said.

Portland has shown a stronger desire to make a deal with Denver for Wilson Chandler than Arron Afflalo, partly because Chandler is under contract next season. The Blazers have made Will Barton and Thomas Robinson, as well as a future first-rounder, available in talks for wing players, but clearly would be more motivated to sweeten a package for Chandler than Afflalo, league sources said.

Once Afflalo likely moves at the trade deadline, some teams unable to acquire him will likely take a longer look at Minnesota's Chase Budinger. Teams love his ability to spread the floor, but the fact he has a player option for $5 million in 2015-16 has been a hurdle for teams trying to keep financial flexibility, league sources said.

In a looming restricted free agency this summer, Golden State's Draymond Green has a significant interest with pursuing an offer sheet with his hometown Detroit Pistons, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

View photos Warriors forward Draymond Green will become a restricted free agent this summer. (USA Today) More

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