Clippers to Match Nets’ Offer; Will Valentine Report?

The Clippers said Friday that they plan to retain free-agent point guard Darnell Valentine by matching the New Jersey Nets’ three-year offer. Earlier this week, Valentine had signed a National Basketball Assn. offer sheet with the Nets calling for more than $900,000, guaranteed.

Valentine’s agent said, however, that Valentine will not report to the Clippers’ training camp.

Said Arn Tellem, Clipper general counsel: “He’ll play for the Clippers or he’s not going to play.”

Tellem mockingly said: “I applaud Darnell Valentine’s courageous move to pass up a three-year guaranteed contract that totals close to $1 million and return to his home in Lawrence, Kan. I wish I had the privilege of making such career decisions. Unfortunately, I have to work for a living.”

Said attorney David Falk of Pro-Serv, Valentine’s agent: “I’m surprised and disappointed that the Clippers would match the offer. I feel it is very unlikely that he will play for the Clippers this year. There was a lot of scar tissue and bad feeling created by the way the negotiations were handled.

“He doesn’t want to play for an organization that has made it clear that he doesn’t fit into their plans. And he will not report. I hope we can work with the team to have him moved somewhere else.”

Said Elgin Baylor, Clipper general manager: “We always intended to match the offer. We want to get Darnell here as soon as possible.”

The Clippers acquired Valentine from Portland last season for a first-round draft pick.

The Clippers will play an exhibition game against Seattle tonight at 7:30 at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Clippers are 0-2 in exhibition play, the SuperSonics 1-2.

Clipper guard Mike Woodson will be held out because of tendinitis in his right knee.