Korolev Unlikely to Go to Development League

Clipper rookie forward Yaroslav Korolev has much to learn, but his education probably won’t occur in Austin, Texas.

Coach Mike Dunleavy said Thursday it was unlikely the 18-year-old Russian would be sent to the team’s development league affiliate in Austin. Moreover, the Clippers might not use the development league to start the season.

“Obviously, we have a couple of guys that fit the parameters to go,” Dunleavy said before the Clippers’ charity golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. “We just have to decide as it goes along and develops.

“We just have to decide whether we feel like our guys are better off here, practicing with us every day, or playing someplace every day. Particularly with [Korolev], I don’t know if I’d do that.”

*

Dunleavy said he still planned to have 14 players on the team to start the season, and that he was close to setting the roster.

“I have an idea, but it can change,” he said. “We’ve played five [exhibition] games so far, so it tells you something, but there are a couple of more games to be played.”

*

The Clippers and Seattle SuperSonics have played twice in the preseason and open the regular season Nov. 2 at Seattle, so they should know each other well.

Too well for Dunleavy’s liking.

“I’m not crazy about it,” Dunleavy said. “You’re at a little bit of a disadvantage.”

*

X-rays of center Chris Kaman’s injured left thumb were negative, Dunleavy said. Kaman might undergo an MRI exam.... The Clippers planned to have point guard Shaun Livingston (lower back strain) undergo an MRI.