Clippers Lose, Face Some Key Future Decisions

Officially, the Clippers ended their first season in Los Angeles Sunday night with a 96-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks before 10,649 at the Sports Arena. The playoffs begin later this week but, for the seventh straight season, the Clippers failed to qualify.

But before the Clippers’ 31-51 season can be put to rest for good and the next one planned for, there are several important matters to be settled:

--First, they have to hire a coach. Don Chaney ended his tenure as interim coach Sunday with a 9-12 record. The Clippers’ first five games under Chaney were all losses; they are a respectable 9-7 since. But by no means does that assure Chaney of the head coaching spot for next season. General Manager Carl Scheer said a decision on whether to re-hire Chaney probably will be made in two weeks. There also is a strong possibility the Clippers will wait until after the draft lottery on May 12 to name a coach.

--Before a coach is hired, the Clippers have to decide if they want Scheer back as general manager. His one-year contract ran out after Sunday’s game and his re-signing may or may not be just a formality.

Scheer will meet this week with owner Donald T. Sterling and President Alan Rothenberg late in the week. Scheer said Sunday that all that needs to be worked out is terms.

Basically, Scheer wants almost total control of the club’s daily operations, as well as a multi-year contract.

--Starting point guard Norm Nixon becomes a free agent after the playoffs are concluded, and center Bill Walton has the option of declaring free agency because of a clause in his contract.

It’s likely that Nixon will not change teams because of several factors, not the least of which are tight restrictions placed on teams because of the salary cap. Walton simply wants to play on a winning team and probably will wait until the draft lottery before making a decision.

Walton said after Sunday’s game that he hasn’t given a thought to the future. Nixon said he wants to return to the Clippers because the team needs stability.

And, of course, there is the lottery, which could immediately change the Clippers’ fortunes if they draw any of the first four picks. Also, it could open several trade possibilities. The Clippers desperately need a center and/or power forward, and Scheer has expressed disappointment in starting center James Donaldson.

Other than the lottery, the hiring of a head coach is what Scheer considers most important to the franchise. Ever since Chaney replaced Jim Lynam March 6, Scheer has maintained that the team’s record under Chaney did not concern him. He said he wanted to see significant improvement.

Chaney said before Sunday’s game that he has seen improvement. Scheer remained noncommittal as always.

“I started out by being satisfied with our gradual improvement,” Chaney said. “Now, I’m comfortable with the fact that the guys are playing well and picking up a lot of what we’re trying to do in a short time. They feel they have the confidence to win games no matter how far down they are.

“I’m optimistic about my chances (of being re-hired). If it was up to the players, I’d be more relaxed about it. But they don’t have input in the decision making. Carl hasn’t given me any indication. But he did say he’d get it straightened out either way in about two weeks.”

Said Scheer: “I said the record would not be factor in our decision, and it won’t. But I think one thing I’ve been impressed with is winning on the road. They’ve done that under Don (winning four games). I’d like to make a decision as quickly as possible. But if we’re not sure, we’ll take our time.”

Scheer also said the club wants to sign Nixon and retain Walton.

“We want Norm Nixon back,” Scheer said. “I think it’ll be a long siege (negotiations). With Bill, it’s strictly a matter of playing on a winning team. If this team is moving forward, he’ll want to stay.”

Clipper Notes Down by 24 points early in the third quarter, the Clippers bounced back to briefly take the lead in the fourth quarter before losing to the Mavericks by six points. Norm Nixon and Junior Bridgeman led the Clippers with 20 points each, while Marques Johnson had 15 and Derek Smith 14. . . . Rolando Blackman had 26 for Dallas, Jay Vincent 24. Mark Aguirre sat out the game with a sprained left foot.