Taylor Is Free to Speak Mind on His Future

For a team that finished last season with the NBA’s second-worst record, the Clippers enjoyed a feeling of optimism at media day Monday.

Then Maurice Taylor, who wanted a long-term contract extension before training camp begins today at Southwest College, spoke.

“I’m basically here to play the last year of my contract and then become a free agent,” said Taylor, whose attorney, David Falk, requested a trade after owner Donald Sterling refused to give Taylor the maximum extension.

“I don’t think that the Clippers have shown me any loyalty,” Taylor said. “Basically, they told me that I’m going to be on stage for an audition in order for them to sign me. . . . I really felt that if they wanted to sign me, they would have done that this summer.

“It’s going to be hard to re-sign with the Clippers knowing that I have interest from [playoff-contending] teams.”

Taylor’s position is nothing new but it was the first time he talked about it after being turned down on a six-year, $70.9-million extension.

“I was kind of disappointed because when I first signed [with Falk in July], I told him that I wanted to work out a long-term deal with the Clippers,” said Taylor, drafted 14th overall from Michigan in 1997. “I really don’t want to sound big-headed or conceited, but I thought that it was a no-brainer. But they decided to handle this another way. There’s no hard feelings.”

Taylor said that even if the Clippers offered the maximum before the league’s Oct. 31 deadline for third-year player contract extensions, he’s 99.9% sure that he wouldn’t sign.

“That’s just as likely as this team going 82-0 this season,” said Taylor, who led the Clippers in scoring and was third in rebounding last season. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

If Coach Chris Ford was bothered by Taylor’s stance, he didn’t show it.

“I’ve been around the game for 27 years and I’ve heard a lot of things said,” Ford said. “Everything usually works itself out, as far as contracts are concerned.”

But having an unhappy Taylor does put a damper on the Clippers’ latest rebuilding project. Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations, made several off-season moves designed to give Ford more to work with.

Seven of last season’s Clippers are gone. Among those taking their places are rookie Lamar Odom, the team’s first-round draft choice; Derek Anderson, a highly regarded shooting guard acquired in a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Eric Murdock, a veteran point guard picked up in a deal with the New Jersey Nets.

Despite Taylor’s stance, the Clippers believe they’re a much better team. Anderson, who like Taylor is in the final year of his contract, wants to make sure that the team keeps off-court issues off the court.

“[Taylor and I] need to sit down and talk,” said Anderson, drafted 13th overall by the Cavaliers in 1997. “If we’re going to be the leaders of this team . . . we can’t lead by example by saying that I’m not going to be here so I’m not going to play hard. You have to play hard regardless, even if you want to get paid somewhere else.”

Taylor said he doesn’t believe his contract issues will be a problem.

“I’m here to play my last year under my contract,” he said. “I’m not going to lay down and not give my A-game. I’m here to work as hard as I can to help this team win as many games as we can.”

Odom, an admirer of Taylor, hopes things will work out.

“It’s a long season and I can see why he’s a little bitter for obvious reasons,” said Odom, selected fourth overall out of Rhode Island. “But, hopefully, a winning season can persuade him.”