Jumping Ship in This Port Not Easy

The Clippers’ coaching search appears to be back at stage one and shooting guard Derek Anderson and power forward Maurice Taylor are discovering that it is tougher to become former Clippers than they imagined.

One day after University of Cincinnati Coach Bob Huggins turned down their four-year, $8-million offer to coach the team, the Clippers had the difficult task of regrouping on the same day NBA teams could officially sign free agents.

But because the Clippers are already loaded with players committed to training camp, thanks to the addition of at least six since June, the franchise is not expected to be too busy during the free agency signing period.

That’s bad news for Anderson and Taylor, who need help from the Clippers to work sign-and-trade deals for more lucrative long-term contracts.

With the Clippers unlikely to change their hard-line position of staying on the free agency sideline, Anderson and Taylor have been left fighting for what they can get.

And based on Tuesday’s relatively slow activity around the league, neither Anderson nor Taylor will end up getting the money he hoped for.

Anderson is expected to sign with the San Antonio Spurs, who have maintained contact with the versatile guard throughout the off-season. San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich even traveled to Louisville, Ky., on Monday to make sure Anderson knew how much the Spurs wanted him.

“At this stage, he’s getting such a full-court press, he’ll probably take a day to fully digest everything,” Anderson’s agent, Tony Dutt, told the San Antonio Express-News.

Anderson, who considers himself one of the better shooting guards around the league, wanted to make at least $5 million a season. But the three teams that showed the most interest, San Antonio, Denver and Miami, are strapped because of salary-cap issues.

With the Heat trading for Charlotte shooting guard Eddie Jones on Tuesday and Denver re-signing shooting guard Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Anderson seems to be a perfect fit for the Spurs’ $2.25-million salary exception for one season.

The good news for Anderson is that the Spurs are expected to have more money available next season, and he could re-sign for more money then, but he is taking a risk.

Taylor’s situation is similar to Anderson’s because the Clippers are not pressed to complete a deal.

Last year, the Clippers pulled off two sign-and-trade deals that involved Lamond Murray and Lorenzen Wright. Neither trade, however, was much of a risk and Wright’s deal to Atlanta was for future draft picks.

If the Clippers are to pull the trigger late and help either Taylor or Anderson, cash and or draft picks must be involved. With cash, the Clippers can buy out any years left on a contract and add a player, possibly a veteran point guard or backup big man.

Taylor is hoping Orlando can squeeze out enough money under next season’s $35.5-million salary cap for him to join the Magic. Taylor’s stock has fallen hard since the start of last season and his agent, David Falk, is finding it difficult to identify teams ready to make changes to add Taylor.

Detroit and New York have shown some interest in Taylor, but he appears headed to the Magic, which could offer him an estimated $2 million a season. Orlando first must complete deals for Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady before Taylor could be added to the mix.

Because the Clippers missed out on naming a coach before the start of the free agency signing period, the team may take its time before making any decisions.

Former Atlanta Hawk and Cleveland Cavalier coach Mike Fratello said Tuesday evening he is out of the picture for good. Fratello said he withdrew his name from consideration after being strung along by the Clippers since the end of the season.

If Huggins and Fratello are out, current Denver assistant John Lucas moves to the forefront. Lucas has been listed as a strong candidate by the Clippers since May, and according to team sources, the decision ultimately lies with owner Donald Sterling.

Former Detroit coach Alvin Gentry was also contacted by the Clippers on Tuesday, but in the wake of Huggins’ rejection it may be a while before another offer is made.

Because training camp is not scheduled to begin until the first week of October, the Clippers are taking their time. Other than signing first-round picks Darius Miles, Keyon Dooling and Quentin Richardson (not a problem under the league’s rookie salary scale), the Clippers don’t have too many other things to do besides naming a coach before training camp.

AROUND THE NBA

The Chicago Bulls couldn’t get any big free agents to take their money, so they settled for Ron Mercer, who will join his fourth team in four seasons.

Charlotte and Miami completed their big trade, with P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn going to the Hornets and Eddie Jones and Anthony Mason joining the Heat.

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Coverage, Page 8