SEATTLE -- Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling moved to end trade talks involving Corey Maggette when he conducted an impromptu meeting last week with Maggette, General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy.
Based on Sterling's strong support of Corey Maggette, the Clippers are not expected to trade the seven-year veteran this season unless they receive an offer considered too good to reject.
The Clippers need Corey Maggette to make a playoff push after the All-Star break, players said.
"No doubt, Corey is going to be a key for us if we're going to get to where we want to be," Elton Brand said. "Even with all the [trade] speculation or whatever, he's been nothing but professional the whole time.
"He's done a great job coming off the bench and giving us scoring, rebounding and energy. He's filled every role the team has needed him to, and he's had a great attitude about it. You couldn't ask for anything more."
Corey Maggette has been a difference-maker as a reserve, Sam Cassell said, and he's only going to get better.
"Corey Maggette is not your average guy coming off the bench," Cassell said. "Most other guys in this league can't do the things Corey Maggette does to help this basketball team win.
"And he hasn't even been doing it that long. He's still getting comfortable at it, so that's why Corey Maggette is so important to this basketball team."
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