Clippers Sign Draft Picks; Gentry in Coaching Mix

Hiring a head coach may still be an issue for the Clippers but they didn’t have any problem signing their three first-round draft choices Tuesday.

The NBA’s salary scale for rookie contracts made it easy for the Clippers to reach agreements with Darius Miles (selected third overall), Keyon Dooling (10th) and Quentin Richardson (18th).

The 18-year-old Miles, the highest drafted prep player in history, signed a three-year deal for an estimated $9 million. He will earn $2.5 million this season with the Clippers holding the option for the fourth year.

Dooling, 20, whose rights were acquired in a trade with Orlando on draft night, signed a three-year deal worth an estimated $4.3 million, starting at $1.3 million this season.

Richardson, 20, signed a three-year deal worth an estimated $2.9 million, starting at $900,000 this season.

Now if the Clippers could only hire a coach.

According to league sources, former Detroit coach Alvin Gentry will meet with the Clippers today and has become the front-runner for the job. Gentry was hired in June as an assistant to the San Antonio Spurs.

Miles has been working out in Chicago but attended Michael Jordan’s basketball camp in Santa Barbara last week. He said the Clippers, who have not had a permanent head coach since Feb. 3, need to name one soon.

“If I was asked, I would pick John Lucas,” Miles said. “But I’m sure whoever the Clippers go with will be someone who wants to win.”

Lucas, who remains close to his former agent, David Falk--the representative of Miles and Richardson--was surprised by Miles’ endorsement.

Although he has been regarded as a candidate for the job since May, Lucas is not sure what his chances are since Cincinnati’s Bob Huggins turned down the Clippers’ offer last week.

“Darius and I know each other but not that well,” Lucas said. “For him to say that is nice of him considering that we’re not in the same camp.”

Miles has added 10 pounds on his 6-foot-9 frame since March despite being slowed because of chicken pox last month. He said he hopes to start working out regularly with his new teammates when he returns to Los Angeles later this month.

“This summer has been really cool,” Miles said. “But I’m looking forward to playing.”

Training camp is scheduled to begin in early October, and all three rookies are preparing to start their professional careers. Dooling and Richardson plan to look for a place to live over the next couple of days and Miles already has found a spot in the Marina del Rey area.

“I’ve played in a couple of charity basketball games with NBA players and that’s been fun,” said Richardson, who scored 34 points in Alonzo Mourning’s game in Miami last month.