CLIPPERS : Stitched-Up Harper Still Wants New Deal

Clipper guard Ron Harper returned to practice Thursday after receiving five stitches to close a cut on his lower lip when he was accidentally elbowed by free-agent guard Harold Ellis in practice Wednesday.

“I feel like I was in a three-round fight,” Harper said. “I haven’t once been cut in my pro career.”

Harper, who said he will leave after the season unless the Clippers sign him to a new contract before training camp ends Saturday, said the club has contacted his agent, Mark Termini.

“They called him, but they called to say hit,” Harper said. “They didn’t call to talk about much.”

Does Harper plan to extend his deadline?

“As they say, good things come to those who wait,” Harper said. “So, the longer I wait, I figure good things will come to me.

“As long as I stay healthy for this season, anything can happen. You see guys around the league signing four-, five- or six-year deals. All these young players coming into the league getting all this cash is helping all us older guys out.”

The Clippers have said they plan to try to sign Harper.

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Coach Bob Weiss said he probably won’t play anyone more than a half in the Clippers’ exhibition opener against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at Anaheim Arena.

Although the Clippers figure to open the season with a starting lineup of Harper and Mark Jackson at guard, Danny Manning and Loy Vaught at forward and Stanley Roberts at center, Weiss said he likes to use different combinations during the exhibition season.