Wright Wants to Be Traded

Lorenzen Wright’s body language in the first two days of training camp with the Clippers showed how uncomfortable the third-year power forward-center was.

Instead of focusing on preparing for the regular season under first-year Coach Chris Ford, Wright wants a long-term commitment similar to the recent contract extensions signed by other players from the 1996 draft.

But even though the Clippers are counting on big things this year from Wright, who averaged nine points and 8.8 rebounds last season, their response to him was to wait.

That answer apparently was not good enough for Wright and his agent, Robert Fayne, who made a surprise visit to College of the Desert for the team’s opening practice.

“We are not here to create problems. We are here to simply say that [it is] in the best interest of the Clippers’ organization and in Lorenzen Wright’s best interest that a trade is consummated as quickly as possible,” Fayne said Friday. “At this stage, we cannot envision a scenario whereby Lorenzen will sign with the Clippers at the end of this season.”

Although Fayne did not disclose the amount he’s seeking for Wright, team sources say it’s a six-year, $60-million extension. Wright, selected seventh overall in the 1996 draft from Memphis, is in the final year of his three-year rookie contract and would have earned $1,923,600 this season before the lockout.

Because of the lockout, the Clippers could not officially begin talks with Wright about a contract extension until this week. As expected, the Clippers were not pleased with the timing of Wright’s request.

“The season hasn’t even started and to get into all of this stuff is premature,” said Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations. “There’s plenty of time. We haven’t even played a game yet. It’s the second day of training camp.”

Over the last three days, Fayne has met with Baylor and Executive Vice President Andy Roeser to discuss Wright’s future. But he blames owner Donald Sterling for the standstill since the end of last season, when both sides talked briefly about working out a deal.

“I am sure that [Baylor and Roeser] take their direction from the owner, because he’s the one who signs the checks,” Fayne said.

With center Michael Olowokandi, last year’s No. 1 draft pick, still in Italy honoring his contract with Kinder Bologna until early next month, Wright is considered a key to the Clippers’ season because of his ability to play power forward and center.

In his first two seasons, Wright had his ups and downs with then-coach Bill Fitch. But when given more minutes, Wright played well. Over one 12-game stretch last season, he averaged 14.6 points and 13.6 rebounds before being sidelined for seven of the next eight games because of knee and ankle injuries.

“I’ve been here two years battling with Coach Fitch the whole time and now I finally get a coach that I can work with,” Wright said when asked if he wanted to remain a Clipper if a deal could be worked out before the March 13 league-wide deadline for contract extensions.

“I think [Baylor] wants me here and I think Coach [Ford], based on what he’s said, wants me to be here. It’s just a matter of them locking me up. They’re scared to make a commitment.”

With only four more days before the end of two-a-day practices and less than a week before the Clippers face the Lakers in an exhibition game, Wright says he will not make his contract situation a distraction.

“This doesn’t bother me. I’m going to work hard for Coach Ford,” Wright said. “I want him to know that this is not a stress on me playing basketball. I’m going to give 110% like I always do.

“It’s going to be up to the Clippers when they trade me. I think they will trade me because the Clippers have always made good decisions on getting rid of players. I know they don’t want to just hold on to me and get nothing for me next year.”

Clipper Notes

For the first two days of training camp, Coach Chris Ford has gone with a first team of guards Darrick Martin and Eric Piatkowski, forwards Lamond Murray and Rodney Rogers and Lorenzen Wright. The second unit has been made up of guards Pooh Richardson, Charles Smith and James Robinson, forwards Maurice Taylor and Brian Skinner and center Stojko Vrankovic, who turned 35 on Friday. The team celebrated Vrankovic’s birthday with a cake after the morning practice.

Conditioning continues to be an issue with the Clippers because Ford wants to run an up-tempo system. Johnny Doyle, strength and conditioning coach, said he was pleased with the overall shape of the players but concedes that some still need work. “I was a little surprised because I thought it was going to be worse than what it is,” Doyle said. “We just have a few guys who are a little out of shape and we’re going to get to them. We can’t get in everything in one day, but we’re going to slowly but surely get them into shape.”

* FOX IN HOUSE: For the second season in a row, Rick Fox chose the Lakers over more money. Page 7

* AROUND THE LEAGUE: McDyess finally signs a six-year, $67.5-million contract with the Nuggets. Page 7