Clippers Deal the Lakers a Blow

Lorenzen Wright wanted to become a former Clipper so badly that at one point he was willing to take less money with less security just to leave the franchise.

The Clippers were so determined to stay with their rebuilding plan that they were prepared to let Wright leave without getting anything in return.

After several weeks of posturing, a compromise was reached Sunday as Wright was sent to the Atlanta Hawks in a sign-and-trade deal for two 2000 first-round draft picks, including one originally belonging to the Toronto Raptors.

Wright, who turned down a six-year, $30-million offer from the Clippers and came close to accepting a one-year, $2-million deal with the Lakers, agreed to a seven-year, $42-million contract, starting at $4.4 million next season.

“I was kind of down a little because I thought the trade might not happen,” said Wright, who had been discussed in a deal with Atlanta involving guard Jimmy Jackson early last week only to have the Hawks pull the deal off the table.

Robert Fayne, Wright’s agent, said that Sunday’s trade brings the former Memphis standout closer to home--a key throughout the free-agent signing process for Wright, who spurned the Lakers’ salary-cap exception offer.

“We’re happy . . . that a sign-and-trade deal could be done that allowed Lorenzen to become a member of the Atlanta Hawks,” Fayne said. “And, to play for a contending team that is only a six-hour drive from where he grew up.

“I spoke to [Laker General Manager] Mitch Kupchak late [Saturday] night just to let him know how I thought things were going to go. They’ve handled themselves in a very professional manner and we wanted to do likewise. Lorenzen was very serious about joining the Lakers organization and we wanted them to know that if this sign-and-trade opportunity with the Hawks had not arisen, that he probably would have signed with the Lakers as early as [Sunday].”

Wright, who backed up center Michael Olowokandi and power forward Maurice Taylor for most of last season, will compete with Alan Henderson, who sat out last season’s playoffs because of an eye injury that has been slow to heal, for the starting power forward position with the Hawks.

Atlanta has had a drastic makeover since being knocked out in the second round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks. Mookie Blaylock, Steve Smith and Ed Gray have been traded and Grant Long is not expected to be re-signed. In their place, the Hawks drafted Jason Terry, Dion Glover and Cal Bowlder; acquired Isaiah Rider and Jackson; and now have added Wright, who they’ve given a strong commitment.

“A team does not give up two first-round draft choices and then compensate a player like the way the Hawks did with Lorenzen if they didn’t plan for him to be an integral part of their franchise,” Fayne said.

The Clippers now have three 2000 first-round picks to work with as they continue to look for deals to bring in a point guard and a possible big man to spell Olowokandi and Taylor.

“I’m very satisfied with the outcome of this trade,” said Elgin Baylor, Clipper vice president of basketball operations. “It’s a deal that gives us more flexibility in pursuing other things.”

Lamar Odom, the Clippers’ No. 1 pick from Rhode Island, has agreed to a contract and is expected to sign this week. Derek Anderson and Johnny Newman, acquired in a sign-and-trade deal from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lamond Murray early last week, are scheduled to take physicals today along with Eric Piatkowski, who re-signed with the Clippers on Friday.

With money still available under the salary cap and two additional draft choices at their disposal, the Clippers plan to stay busy this week as they continue to follow their rebuilding plan.

“It’s still early, there’s always that possibility that we’ll [keep all three 2000 first-round picks],” Baylor said. “But there is also the possibility that we’ll use them to help get what we’re looking for.”

Swingman Tyrone Nesby, who impressed as an undrafted rookie free agent last season, still needs to be re-signed as the Clippers have the right to match any offer he receives.

The Clippers would also like to work out a contract extension for Taylor, who will enter his final contract year this season. Taylor, who switched from Norm Nixon to David Falk as his agent this off-season, will be looking for the league maximum but the Clippers may not be willing to give him that total because of Taylor’s low rebounding numbers.

The league deadline for contract extensions for players that fall under Taylor’s situation is Oct. 1 and Falk does not return from vacation until Aug. 20.

Baylor, however, is confident that the Clippers can get everything done in time.