CLIPPERS : Manning Has a Good Time as Clippers Get Past Bucks

Forward Danny Manning, who was nearly traded to the Miami Heat on Friday for guards Glen Rice and Willie Burton, doesn’t have to deal with controversy once he steps on the court.

And Manning, who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Clippers’ 105-102 exhibition victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday before 10,590 at the Sports Arena, looks as if he is having fun on the court.

“No, it’s not confusing, it’s just a matter of staying focused,” Manning said. “It’s not a distraction for me. It might be a distraction for some other people. Blowing my knee out in 1988 was a distraction. This is not a distraction.”

The Clippers say that they didn’t trade Manning because they believe that Manning, who will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, wants to remain here.

“We’re still trying, and we’ll continue to keep Danny here,” Clipper spokesman Joe Safety said.

According to a source, Miami Heat officials, who still want to make the trade, have called the Clippers back.

Does Manning want to remain here?

“My statements have been made public how I feel,” Manning said. “I haven’t swayed from that at all. I’m just here to play basketball. . . . From day one, I gave everybody a blueprint of my future. All I did was stick to my word.”

Ron Grinker, Manning’s agent, attended the game, but didn’t meet with Clipper owner Donald T. Sterling or General Manager Elgin Baylor. Grinker said he was here to meet with Manning and help him find a place to live.

Has Manning changed his mind?

“There is nothing to say,” Grinker said. “He hasn’t changed any position at all.”