Clippers Sign Ewing to Contract

The news rookie guard Daniel Ewing had awaited for weeks arrived Tuesday: He’s officially a Clipper.

The team signed its second-round draft pick to a three-year, $1.8-million contract.

“I’ve been watching NBA TV and seeing other teams signing their guys, so I was getting real anxious,” said Ewing, selected 32nd overall. “I was wondering when my deal was going to get done, so it’s a big relief.”

Ewing averaged 11.6 points and 2.1 assists during four seasons at Duke. In five games for the Clippers’ squad in the Las Vegas Summer League, he averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

“I just want to go out there and establish myself, earn the respect of my teammates and coaches and the guys around the league,” Ewing said. “Hopefully, I can earn some quality minutes and help us reach our goal of making the playoffs.”

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A decision might come Monday on whether first-round draft pick Yaroslav Korolev could join the team for the 2005-06 season.

The board of directors for CSKA Moscow, the club team that holds Korolev’s rights, will meet to discuss a contract buyout that would clear the way for the Clippers to sign Korolev, agent Marc Fleisher said.

“We’re really not going to know any more until then,” Fleisher said. “They’re going to meet, so we’ll see.”

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The Clippers signed free-agent forward James Singleton.

Singleton, 6 feet 8, played 46 games for Milan of the Italian League last season, averaging 11.5 points and 8.6 rebounds.

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Free-agent forward Robert Traylor failed a physical and will not join the New Jersey Nets this season.

Traylor, 28, became a free agent in June when the Cleveland Cavaliers declined to pick up the option on his $1.76-million contract.

The Atlanta Hawks re-signed guard Tyronn Lue and signed second-round pick Salim Stoudamire.

Lue averaged 13.5 points and 5.4 assists in 49 games with the Hawks after being traded by Houston.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.