Houston Interested in Clipper Guards to Replace Players Banned for Cocaine

The Houston Rockets are interested in dealing for either of the Clipper guards, Larry Drew or Mike Woodson, to replace Mitchell Wiggins and Lewis Lloyd, who were banned from the league for using cocaine, a Clipper source said. The Rockets are reportedly offering a first-round draft pick.

“We have not discussed Woodson and Drew,” Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “No deal has been done. We’re just talking.”

The Rockets are also said to be interested in Sacramento point guard Reggie Theus.

The Clippers, who broke a 16-game losing streak by beating Denver, 123-105, Wednesday night, will open a three-game trip tonight against the Golden State Warriors at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

The Clippers have hired Barry Hecker, 39, as an assistant coach. Hecker previously worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He will replace Brad Greenberg, who resigned last month to become an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.