ProBasketballNews.com’s Sam Amico claims a Paul Pierce for Corey Maggette trade might be in the works between the Celtics and Clippers.

œThey have been working on a deal for the majority of the summer, and it appears the talk is heating up, a high-ranking Eastern Conference official said. œThere™s no doubt the Clippers have been dangling Maggette (above), and Boston seems pretty tempted.

Later, a Western Conference general manager responded to an e-mail from PBN.com that asked if he was aware of the possible deal.

œI don™t know specifics, but I do know the Celtics are listening to offers for Pierce, the GM wrote. œI know it because they hinted about (trading Pierce) to us in July. .. (Other GMs) I™ve spoken with in recent weeks have told me the Celtics really like Maggette.

Members of the Celtics and Clippers front offices did not respond to e-mails and phone calls seeking comment as of Sunday at midnight Eastern.

This is the second time in the past two months at least one source has told PBN.com that Boston was trying to deal Pierce to the Clippers. In August, an Eastern Conference scout said Celtics coach Doc Rivers œdesperately wants Pierce out, but he and (Celtics GM Danny) Ainge seem to be at odds over the matter. The source added that the Celtics were talking to the Clippers, but did not mention Maggette.