Clippers Are Not Reluctant Free-Agent Shoppers

As the NBA launched its annual free-agent fishing expedition late Thursday night, the Clippers hoped to land a prize catch, or at least a keeper.

They have promised not to be as persnickety as they were a year ago, when all of their effort focused on hooking Kobe Bryant, the whale of the 2004 free-agent class, and all they had to show for it afterward was an empty net.

“We were going after the whopper and that was it,� Coach Mike Dunleavy said of last summer’s pursuit of Bryant, which took the Clippers out of contention for other options that might have fulfilled their needs. “The little fish, we were throwing back. And in this case, we’re hungry, man.

“We’re taking the first good-looking fish in the boat.�

But even as they set about chasing a veteran shooting guard to address their most pressing need, browsing a marketplace of unrestricted free agents that includes Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Larry Hughes, Cuttino Mobley and maybe Michael Finley, the Clippers had another issue to consider: retaining their own free agents.

“We’d like to have our own guys signed, if we can work that out,� General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “But you have to be reasonable ... to be able to do other things. We can’t just do one thing and not be able to do other things.�

With the salary cap expected to increase from about $44 million last season to about $49 million for next season and Kerry Kittles’ $9.5-million salary dropping off their books, the Clippers are flexible.

But though their options are many, they’re not unlimited.

They’ve said that re-signing small forward Bobby Simmons, their third-leading scorer and the NBA’s most improved player last season, is their top priority. But landing a big-ticket free agent such as Allen would greatly reduce their cap space and might preclude them from putting together an offer lucrative enough to retain Simmons. Simmons is an unrestricted free agent, available to the highest bidder. He has said he’d like to stay, all offers being comparable, of course.

However, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Thursday, “Obviously, you only get to be a free agent a couple of times in your career, so you kind of owe it to yourself to hear what’s out there. Certainly, his door’s wide open.

“He’s got a great feeling for Mike and Elgin and everybody with the Clippers, but I’m sure a lot of people are going to be pursuing him and human nature is, you want to hear what people have to say.�

Simmons, a bargain last season at $825,000, might command a contract similar to the six-year, $42-million deal signed by Corey Maggette two years ago.

Marko Jaric, the Clippers’ starting point guard last season but destined for backup duty behind Shaun Livingston if he’s re-signed, is a restricted free agent, which means the Clippers can match any offer he receives from another team. After making $2.1 million last season, he too is probably due a healthy bump.

But cap limitations wouldn’t allow the Clippers to sign Allen and Simmons and Jaric.

“For me, the main focus is to be an important factor on a team that is trying to win a championship, no matter what position I play,� said Jaric, viewed by the Clippers to be an ideal third guard, able to provide relief at either backcourt position. “Obviously, I will keep open for any team that’s ready to win because I think I have enough experience. I think I’m ready to step onto a team that’s really ready to win, and the Clippers are definitely one of the teams with that potential.�

Another priority, the Clippers have said, is re-signing backup center Zeljko Rebraca, an unrestricted free agent who has said he would like to stay.

The Clippers seem more ambivalent about two other free agents -- Mikki Moore and Rick Brunson -- although Dunleavy has said he would like to keep most of last season’s roster intact. An exception would be Kittles, written out of the Clippers’ plans after sitting out all but 11 games last season because of injuries.

Into Kittles’ spot, they’d love to slide Allen or Redd, the top two shooting guards on the market, Allen after averaging 23.9 points for the Seattle SuperSonics last season and Redd after averaging 23.0 for the Milwaukee Bucks. Either player probably would command a five-year contract making him the Clippers’ highest-paid player, earning $15 million a year or more. Redd is considered more of a longshot.

Another intriguing possibility would be Finley, who is expected to be waived by the Dallas Mavericks as part of the amnesty provision in the new collective bargaining agreement, giving teams that pay the luxury tax a one-time opportunity to release players.

Mobley earned $5.8 million last season, averaging 17.2 points for the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic.

His agent, Andy Miller, said Thursday that the Clippers were on the short list of teams his client would “definitely be interested in speaking with.�

He’ll almost surely get a call.

The Clippers last season ranked last in the NBA in three-point shots attempted and made, a shortcoming they hope to address. And if they signed Mobley, they’d probably still have the cap space to retain Simmons and Jaric.

“It’s no secret what we’re looking for,� Baylor said. “We’re looking for a perimeter player, a shooter, in the backcourt. Everyone knows that.�

Though the free-agency negotiating period is underway, players cannot officially sign until July 22, a longer than usual period to allow for completion of the collective bargaining agreement.

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Clippers’ status

Clippers’ 2005-06 roster and player contract situation:

*--* Player, P ‘05-06 Salary Comment Elton Brand, F $13.15 million Signed through ‘08-09 Rick Brunson, G Unrestricted free agent Lionel Chalmers, G $620,046 Contract not guaranteed Daniel Ewing, G Second-round pick has not signed Marko Jaric, G Restricted free agent Chris Kaman, C $2.75 million Signed through ‘07-08 Kerry Kittles, G Back injury puts unrestricted free agent’s career in jeopardy Yaroslav Korolev, F First-round pick might stay in Russia next season Shaun Livingston, G $3.25 million Signed through ‘06-07 Corey Maggette, G $7 million Signed through ‘08-09 Mikki Moore, C Unrestricted free agent Mamadou N’Diaye, C Waived on Wednesday Zeljko Rebraca, C Unrestricted free agent Quinton Ross, G $695,046 Signed through ‘06-07 Bobby Simmons, F Unrestricted free agent Chris Wilcox, C $2.8 million Restricted free agent next summer

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