Former Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, according to his agent Raymond Brothers.
Butler had also considered San Antonio, New Jersey and Chicago, but ultimately the opportunity to team with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon in Los Angeles proved too enticing.
"He's very excited to be with Blake," Brothers said. "And very excited to be with a young upcoming team he believes he can help win a championship."
The Clippers had pursued both Butler and Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince this week. They only offered Prince a one-year deal, however, and he elected to re-sign with the Pistons on a four-year, $27 million deal, according to ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.
Butler played just 29 games last season with the Mavs before rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee on New Year's Day. He underwent major surgery, and despite exhaustive rehab, was unable to return for Dallas' championship run.
Mavs coaches and front office personnel consistently lauded Butler's effort to return and he believes his right knee is back to 100 percent.
Dallas, however, was reluctant to offer Butler anything more than a one-year contract, an approach the club seems to also be taking with its other free agents.
Ramona Shelburne is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com. Information from ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan was used in this report.
