Clippers Told to Arbitrate With Walton

A judge ordered the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team today to meet with an arbitrator to try to settle a contract dispute with former player Bill Walton amid allegations of drug abuse.

It was the first time the Clippers publicly alleged that Walton had used illegal drugs while under contract, which the team said hampered the player’s recovery from basketball injuries.

Walton, 36, who was accompanied by a lawyer in court, denied using drugs while he played for the team, which moved from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984.

Arguments Rejected

Superior Court Judge John Zebrowski rejected arguments by Clippers lawyer Gary Platt that the team’s dispute with Walton should be settled before a judge rather than through arbitration.

Zebrowski said Walton’s contract required the team to try to resolve the dispute first in arbitration.

The Clippers contend that they should no longer have to make deferred payments to Walton, whose contract calls for him to receive $200,000 a year through 1996, or $1.6 million.