CLIPPERS FYI

Clippers cut David Noel, Dontell Jefferson

The two free agents are the first players cut in training camp by Coach Mike Dunleavy, who cites the Clippers' depth at their positions.
By Lisa Dillman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 12, 2008
Roster cuts at this stage of training camp are fairly predictable, and Saturday's moves by the Clippers fit neatly into that category.

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy was talking after practice about the first couple of cuts he would be making, saying: "David Noel and DJ."

He immediately expanded upon that thought, and smiled, adding: "We have two DJs."

Not that anyone thought for a minute DeAndre Jordan was gone. . . .

The DJ joining David Noel would be Dontell Jefferson. Noel and Jefferson signed as free agents a few days before training camp opened. Jefferson played four minutes against the Lakers on Thursday in the Clippers' exhibition victory at Fresno and had two assists; Noel had one rebound in three minutes.

"At certain positions, we have more of a need than others," Dunleavy said. "Right now, at the point guard spot, the three guys [Baron Davis, Jason Hart and Mike Taylor] are pretty good, so we can lose one there, and we just have a ton of wings with Eric Gordon coming back.

"That's just kind of the way it is."

So now the Clippers have whittled down to one DJ and three players named Davis: Baron, Ricky and Paul.



Injury update

Dunleavy had to make some adjustments at practice, given the sudden rash of injuries. Not practicing were Marcus Camby (bruised right heel), Paul Davis (sprained finger), Jordan (sore leg) and Tim Thomas (strained left groin). Camby could be out four or five days.

Gordon (sprained ankle) is rounding into form. He practiced for about an hour and was not limited in what he could do. Dunleavy said he thought Gordon would be able to play this week.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com





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