Kings Prepared to Lose Richmond

Another day on the Mitch Richmond watch. . . .

A Sacramento King source said it’s up to the Lakers, if they want to trade Eddie Jones for Richmond, but the Kings haven’t heard anything from Laker Executive Vice President Jerry West.

Meanwhile, King Coach Eddie Jordan is still telling his players to get ready for the day Richmond isn’t here.

“I’m preparing for the worst too,” Jordan told the Sacramento Bee. “And it’s so heavy about Mitch not being here, then I want other guys to realize that if he’s gone that I have confidence in them. Whoever is in the game.”

Richmond, at odds with the front office in a contract dispute for a year, is said to be hoping for a deal. Meanwhile, his attitude has been better.

“Mitch is not at the top of his game, and he’s not in as good shape as he could be,” said Jordan. “That’s not criticism. That’s fact, and I think that’s a credit to where he can be. But he didn’t go through training camp as hard as he could have or should have.”

For his part, Richmond doesn’t think much of Jordan’s conditioning program.

“I think I’m in pretty good shape,” he said. “I think this was one of the easiest camps I’ve seen in my nine years. I think the other guys will attest to that. I would stay out and do extra work. . . .

“There’s something new every day. There’s a lot of rumors going around about my situation. I really don’t know when it’s going to happen or where. Until then, I have to go out and try to stay focused.”

Loy Vaught was forced to scratch just before the game because of a jammed right toe, suffered in the Houston game. The Kings were without Bobby Hurley, who strained a muscle early in their loss to the Lakers, making a starter out of ex-Clipper Terry Dehere.

Bill Fitch said he wouldn’t have used Vaught, unless . . .

“I’d have been reluctant,” said Fitch, “but if we needed a win and everybody fouled out. . . .”

Vaught’s availability tonight will be determined at game time.

TONIGHT

vs.

Phoenix

at The Pond

* 7:30

* Fox Sports West 2

Site--Pond of Anaheim.

Radio--KEZY-FM (95.9).

Records--Clippers 1-3, Suns 2-1.

Record vs. Suns--0-1.

Update--The Clippers make their Orange County debut on the second night of a back-to-back. The teams met opening night in Phoenix, with the Suns winning, 110-100. This will be the Suns’ first road game.