And, according to a rumor circulating through the NBA, it could be the Sixers' Andre Iguodala.

The rumor suggested that the Clippers, via coach Mike Dunleavy, already have had contact with Iguodala, who was in Las Vegas Saturday to watch the Sixers' summer league team play the Denver Nuggets. The contact, though, supposedly came in the days before that game.

Dunleavy would not comment specifically as to whether there had been contact with Iguodala.

Reached yesterday, Dunleavy said, "He's among the guys we're considering, but we're still deliberating exactly what we want to do. We're interested in all good players, and Iguodala is a very good player."

The Clippers already have met with forward Josh Smith, the Atlanta Hawks' restricted free agent who was courted by the Sixers before the signing of Brand.

Sixers president/general manager Eddie Stefanski has said repeatedly that his intention is to re-sign Iguodala and guard Lou Williams, both restricted free agents. If a team tenders an offer sheet to either player, the Sixers would have 7 days in which to match; Iguodala rejected an in-season extension that would have paid him slightly more than $57 million over 5 years.

"We're not going to hide, but we're not going to publicize it each time we make contact with a player we think could help us," Dunleavy said. "We're trying to figure out the best way to get people to come, who to go with, who would be the best fit."

The Clippers have about $12 million in salary-cap space after losing Brand (5 years, $79.8 million) and Corey Maggette (Golden State,5 years, nearly $50 million). They have added Warriors unrestricted free agent Baron Davis (5 years, $65 million).

Iguodala, 24, played in all 82 regular-season games, averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals; he averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and five assists in six playoff games against the Detroit Pistons. *