After Off-Season Moves, Clippers Expect Success

In an off-season when the Pistons almost became the Clippers--or at least three of Detroit’s six centerpiece players did--and the transaction wire heated up with double-digit arrivals and departures, this is the underlying current around the Sports Arena about the summer of the Clippers’ content:

Two needs were targeted. Two hits. Well, one and a probable, at least. Doc Rivers, when he ends his holdout, will be the point guard, bringing leadership abilities and playoff experience. And James Edwards, the veteran center acquired to back up Olden Polynice, can flash a couple of championship rings to get the attention of teammates.

The acquisitions have made the months since another disappointing finish an almost unqualified success. They also have made General Manager Elgin Baylor, who for the first time in his tenure is responsible for the presence of every player and coach, either a candidate for executive of the year or the man on the spot.

He waves off both suggestions. But there is no denying that the stakes have gone up even in what outwardly has been his most relaxed Clipper training camp.

“If we don’t win with this team, something is wrong,” Baylor said the other day. “Something is definitely wrong.”

It was not unusual last spring for Baylor to arrive at his office about 6 a.m., to keep up with East Coast counterparts, and leave around 8 p.m., staying as late as 10 or 11 when the draft got close and the Rivers deal took shape. Sometimes he would talk to the same team four or five times a day.

Success, however, is not perfection. Although the Clippers did get a point guard, they did not get their No. 1 choice there. And lost in the excitement of getting Edwards, whom some teams would be happy to have as a starter, was that he cost the team Jeff Martin, accentuating the team’s major weakness, a lack of outside shooting.

Here is how Baylor changed the Clippers:

--June 21: Waived backup center Ken Bannister.

This made room under the salary cap for a trade. Bannister probably would have had a tough time making the team again anyway.

--June 26: Traded the ninth selection in that day’s draft, and 1993 and ’94 second-round picks, to Atlanta for Rivers. Also traded guard Winston Garland, who had begun 1990-91 as a reserve but finished as the starting point guard, to Denver for 1996 or ’97 second-round choice.

The Clippers had wanted a new point guard since early last season. Still searching as it came to an end, they drew up a list of players to pursue: Rivers, Pooh Richardson of Minnesota, Derek Harper of Dallas, Jay Humphries of Milwaukee and Isiah Thomas of Detroit. All but Richardson, the former UCLA Bruin, had playoff experience, and Clipper officials thought he compensated for that with a style of play made for fast-break basketball.

Harper was the first choice. The Clippers reportedly offered Ken Norman, Gary Grant and a No. 1 draft choice. The Mavericks, knowing the value of Harper at a time when point guards have replaced centers as the hottest commodities, asked about Charles Smith.

As draft day neared, the Clippers realized that Harper was out of their price range, that Humphries would be a very tough deal because of salary cap limitations, that the Timberwolves would not start the Jimmy Rodgers era by trading arguably their best player, and that Thomas would not leave the Pistons for anything less than the offer of the ‘90s. So the Clippers added Brian Shaw to the list and talked with Boston.

Coach Mike Schuler said he was sure all along that something would get done. Baylor, noting that his confidence never wavered, doesn’t remember it quite that way.

“Certainly Mike was nervous,” Baylor said. “But I told him, ‘Don’t worry, Mike, we’ll get you a point guard.’ ”

Rivers is holding out for a contract extension. One of the appeals of getting him was that he had four years remaining at a manageable $4.5 million. He also had a reputation as a positive locker-room influence. And although he would be 30 by the time the season started, as opposed to Shaw’s 25, the Celtics were talking about either Norman or Loy Vaught and the Clippers’ first draft pick, whereas the Hawks, eager to rebuild, did it for draft picks alone. Previous Baylor deals had paid off because the Clippers had choices to trade.

The Clippers couldn’t have made the deal, though, without clearing some room under the salary cap, so Garland was traded, more out of need than desire. Garland had been a strong addition since coming from Golden State.

--June 26: Selected LeRon Ellis of Syracuse in the first round of the draft, and Elliot Perry of Memphis State and Joe Wylie of Miami in the second round.

Ellis, who ended a long holdout last Friday, and Perry will be the 11th and 12th men. Training camp showings indicate that Perry is quick enough to guard a hummingbird and could find a niche as designated defender of the Kevin Johnsons and Tim Hardaways of the NBA.

--June 26: Renounced the rights to reserve guard Tom Garrick and reserve center Mike Smrek.

Garrick was a defensive spark during his three years with the Clippers, but, looking for a hefty raise and guaranteed money to come into training camp, he might not have been back even if there had been no salary cap problems. He has since caught on with San Antonio, Smrek with Utah.

--July 3: Traded the rights to draftee Wylie to New York for a 1992 second-round choice.

Trading a player seven days after drafting him? Sounds as if the Clippers, who need another forward the way they need a knee injury, picked him for the Knicks after working out an informal trade.

--Aug. 13: Traded Martin and a 1995 second-round selection to Detroit for Edwards.

On draft day, Baylor was figuring that the search for a backup center could stretch into training camp. He continued showing interest in Mark West, on the verge of losing his starting job at Phoenix to Andrew Lang, and talked to Chicago about Will Perdue, and to San Antonio about Dwayne Schintzius. He spoke with the representatives of Moses Malone, Jack Sikma and Rick Mahorn, free agents all.

In the end, by getting Edwards, the Clippers did better than if they had landed any of the above.

--Danny Manning and Ron Harper to Detroit for Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman.

This trade never happened, but there are varying opinions as to how close it got. Asked about that, Baylor chuckled, paused, and then begged off with a no-comment. It is generally understood, though, that conversations went past the preliminary stage.

Could they crop up again? Not without more big changes in Detroit, now hemmed in again by the salary cap after acquiring Orlando Woolridge and Darrell Walker.

Those deals done--and not done--Baylor had moved or acquired 10 players, all without taking a sledgehammer to the team.

“I believe it will work out,” he said. “I believe it should work out.”

If not, well, the Clippers and long winters are old acquaintances.

The Transition Game

A look at player moves by the Clippers since June.

CAME Player: Doc Rivers Date: June 26 How He Got on the Roster: From Atlanta for 1991 first-round pick, 1993 and ’94 second-round picks Player: LeRon Ellis Date: June 26 How He Got on the Roster: First-round pick from Syracuse Player: Elliot Perry Date: June 26 How He Got on the Roster: Second-round pick from Memphis State Player: Joe Wylie Date: June 26 How He Got on the Roster: Second-round pick from Miami Player: James Edwards Date: Aug. 13 How He Got on the Roster: From Detroit in trade for Jeff Martin and 1995-second-round pick WENT Player: Ken Bannister Date: June 21 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Waived Player: Winston Garland Date: June 26 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Traded to Denver for 1996 or ’97 second-round pick Player: Tom Garrick Date: June 26 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Renounced rights Player: Mike Smrek Date: June 26 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Renounced rights Player: Joe Wylie Date: July 3 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Traded to New York for 1992 second-round pick Player: Jeff Martin Date: Aug. 13 How He Was Removed From the Roster: Traded with 1995 second-round pick to Detroit for James Edwards