Clippers, Benjamin Initiate Talks on a Long-Term Contract

The Clippers, working to settle their lineup for several years to come as they determine contract matters for this season, have had preliminary discussions with representatives of center Benoit Benjamin and plan to begin talks on a new contract in November.

Benjamin, about to start his sixth NBA season, is in the option year of a contract that could pay him upward of $2 million, depending on incentive clauses attained. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of 1990-91 if not signed, which could put the Clippers in a bidding war that could reach nearly double his current salary.

“We are definitely going to have serious talks about a new contract,” said Bob Steele, the Clipper representative in the negotiations with Benjamin, Loy Vaught, Ron Harper and Bo Kimble. “It may be an extension of the current deal, or it may be redone to include this year. But because we have so much going on right now, we’re not able to pursue it as much as the others.”

Tuesday, the Clippers signed Vaught, the second of their two first-round draft choices, to a four-year deal worth an estimated $4 million. That leaves Kimble, the No. 8 pick in the draft who is expected to contend for the starting job at off-guard, unsigned, and the futures of free agents Joe Wolf and Ron Harper to be determined. Wolf has an offer sheet from the Denver Nuggets, which the Clippers must match by Friday or let their former first-round choice go without compensation; and Harper’s agent, Mark Termini, is involved in talks with Steele.

Once those matters are taken care of, the Clippers will turn their attention to Benjamin. His agent, Don King, has met informally with Steele twice in the last month.

The Clippers also signed free agents Greg Butler, a product of Rolling Hills High School and Stanford who played 13 games with the New York Knicks last season; and James Scott, who spent the last two seasons in Europe.