Steve Ballmer Says Clippers' Ultimate Goal Isn't Beating Lakers

Steve Ballmer isn't content with his team simply being the most successful in Hollywood, even though the Los Angeles Clippers owner acknowledged his team has been "kicking the [Los Angeles] Lakers' ass" over the past few seasons. 

In an interview with Business Insider's Julie Bort, Ballmer admitted the Clippers' "ultimate goal isn't to beat one other team." Rather, he said it's to "beat 29 other teams."

"If you tell me you were the top team in L.A., but the 28th team in the league, I say to heck with that," Ballmer said. 

Ballmer may have a Larry O'Brien Trophy on his mind, but the Clippers could undergo a radical shakeup this summer in free agency. 

Not only is Chris Paul slated to hit the open market on July 1, but Blake Griffin is primed to become an unrestricted free agent when he exercises his early termination option to pursue a max contract. 

And while the start of free agency is still four weeks away, it's starting to look like there's a real chance the Clippers' core could be compromised. 

On Friday, ESPN.com's Marc Stein cited league sources who said Paul plans to give the San Antonio Spurs "serious consideration" should he choose to part ways with the Clippers. 

Those sources told Stein the 32-year-old "is intrigued by the idea of teaming up with the likes of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and MVP top-three finalist Kawhi Leonard in his quest to achieve the deep playoff success that has eluded Paul" through 12 NBA seasons. 

To that point, Paul and the Clippers have not advanced past the second round of the Western Conference playoffs since he arrived in 2011 even though the team has topped 50 wins in each of the past five seasons.