Odds for Once Favor Clippers, Who Have 3 Picks in First Round

If the Clippers ever get around to releasing a highlight film for the 1986-87 season, they should probably call it “Down and Out in the NBA.”

“Last year was the culmination of everything that went wrong,” said club President Alan Rothenberg. “We hit bottom.”

But the Clippers, who finished with the second-worst record in league history last season (12-70), have a chance to get some players in today’s NBA draft who can provide immediate help next season.

“I’m happy for the Clippers. I think the only place we have to go is up,” said team owner Donald T. Sterling.

The Clippers, who didn’t have a first- or second-round pick last year, have stockpiled three first-round picks for today’s draft.

They have the fourth pick in the draft and the 13th and 19th picks as a result of trades with Houston and Detroit.

“Last year the ship went down but we were able to salvage something with draft picks,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “We intend to keep our lottery pick unless a trade should surface. But we’d be willing to trade the 13th and the 19th picks.

“We could use help everywhere. Our biggest need is probably on the front line. But it’s going to be hard unless we trade up.”

Baylor’s phone has been ringing off the hook.

Baylor said he’s been contacted by several teams who want to acquire 7-0 center Benoit Benjamin.

But the Clippers say they’re going to keep the enigmatic center who is coming off a miserable season.

“I’ve talked to about 14 or 15 teams about trades and seven or eight are interested in Benoit,” Baylor said. “Some of them are interested in trading players they don’t want and we don’t want.

“But right now we feel than Benoit is going to be our center. It’s June, almost July, and Benoit looks great.”

Benjamin, who reported to training camp overweight last fall, is apparently in great shape.

“I’m excited about Benoit,” said Gene Shue, the Clippers’ new coach, after a meeting with Benjamin last week. “His weight is down to 247 and it looks like he’s ready to start the season. I think Benoit is going to have the best year he’s ever had. I think he’s going to rebound and play defense.

“You’re going to see a new Benoit. We have some plans for him this summer. He’s going to go on a weight program and play for our summer league team.”

The Sacramento Kings were reportedly interested in acquiring Benjamin.

Bill Russell, the new Sacramento coach, worked with Benjamin during his rookie season. And Willis Reed, who was hired as Russell’s assistant, coached Benjamin in college at Creighton.

However, the Clippers nixed the deal with Sacramento.

The Clippers are as optimistic about today’s draft as they are about Benjamin’s future.

“This is probably the most important time in the history of the Clippers,” Shue said. “We don’t want to make any mistakes in the draft.”

Shue, who was hired late last month, had a lot of catching up to do in evaluating players.

The Clippers have been holding mini-camps to evaluate players before the draft.

“We’ve been bringing them in to find out something about their character,” Baylor said.

The Clippers can’t test players for drugs because of an NBA Players Assn. rule. However, Baylor said the team sent questionnaires to coaches, teachers, parents and counselors.

“I can’t say who we’re going to pick because it wouldn’t be fair to the fans who have entered our (draft) contest.”

However, Baylor did list the top 13 players in the draft:

Center David Robinson of Navy, guard Dennis Hopson of Ohio State; forward Horace Grant of Clemson, forward Armon Gilliam of Nevada Las Vegas, forward Reggie Williams of Georgetown, guard Kevin Johnson of California, forward Tellis Frank of Western Kentucky, center Olden Polynice of Virginia, forward Derrick McKey of Alabama, forward/guard Scottie Pippen of Central Arkansas, center Chris Welp of Washington and forward Dallas Comegys of DePaul.

Robinson is expected to go to San Antonio as the top pick in the draft.

The Phoenix Suns, who have the No. 2 pick, may take Gilliam or Hopson, and New Jersey will probably take whomever Phoenix doesn’t pick.

If McKey is available, the Clippers might select him.

McKey, 6-9, 205, left Alabama after three years to enter the draft. He averaged 18.6 points and 7.5 rebounds last season.

McKey is a small forward who could blend in with Benjamin and power forward Michael Cage on the Clippers’ front line. Cage is a free agent, but club officials are confident that they’ll be able to sign him.

Said Baylor of McKey: “He’s a small forward who can shoot outside, run and rebound.”

Shue, who succeeded Don Chaney as the Clipper coach, has the fourth best record in the NBA.

However, his work will be cut out for him with the Clippers.

“With three first-round picks we have a chance to really make an improvement in the draft,” Shue said. “We want to build a foundation. We look at this as a three-year plan, not a quick fix.”

Clipper Notes

The Clippers are holding a draft-day party at the Sports Arena. Doors open at 9 a.m. They will show the draft on a giant television screen beginning at 10 a.m. Fans will receive a free breakfast. General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Gene Shue will attend the event. . . . The Clippers say they have received 10,000 entries in the “Read Elgin’s Mind” contest to predict who the club will draft. The grand prize is a car. . . . The Clippers also have two first-round picks next season.