Clippers To Sign Caron Butler

(AP) -- A person familiar with the situation says free agent Caron Butler is leaving the Dallas Mavericks to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been announced. TNT's David Aldridge reported it's a three-year, $24 million deal.

The Clippers had no comment. The free agency signing period begins Friday.

Butler had been working out in Chicago and is recovered from a ruptured tendon in his right knee that limited him to 29 games with the NBA champion Mavericks last season. He averaged 15.0 points and was the team's second-leading scorer when he was hurt on New Year's Day.

Several teams, including the Chicago Bulls, were interested in Butler, but instead of teaming with MVP Derrick Rose, he'll be joining another electrifying young star in Blake Griffin.