Clippers’ Taylor Adrift at Sea

Maurice Taylor was left in limbo Monday after the collapse of the four-team deal involving 13 players.

After seeking a six-year, $70.9 million contract extension from the Clippers before last season, the free-agent forward was close to receiving a one-year offer for the $2.25 million exception from the Seattle SuperSonics.

Although Taylor could still become a SuperSonic, his situation has been put on hold. David Falk, who represents Taylor, also represents Patrick Ewing and Vin Baker, two high-profile players involved in the four-team deal. The parties are expected to try to reassemble the pieces of the complex transaction involving the Lakers, SuperSonics, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons, and the outcome could impact Taylor.

Last summer, Taylor appeared to have a strong bargaining position with the Clippers. Falk asked that Taylor be given the maximum long-term extension, but the Clippers instead discussed a multiyear deal believed to be worth about $6 million a season.

Clipper owner Donald Sterling was criticized for his failure to meet Taylor’s demands. A year later, however, it is clear that Taylor’s stock was not as high as Falk anticipated and that the forward would have done better financially next season with the Clippers.

In a recent interview with the Toronto Sun, Falk tried to distance himself from the results of his negotiations with the Clippers, saying: “Obviously, I work for my client. My job is to make a recommendation. The client has to make the final decision.”

When the free agency signing period began on Aug. 1, Taylor was considered among the second-tier players available. But after standouts such as Grant Hill, Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady reached agreements, the next group of free agents to sign lucrative deals included players such as Tim Thomas, Ben Wallace and Ron Mercer.

But not Taylor.

Reports had linked Taylor to numerous teams before Seattle became involved, including the Toronto Raptors, who tried to sign him to a three-year, $17.5 million deal that didn’t materialize.

Falk also talked to Orlando, Indiana, New York and Houston about Taylor but was unable to find a team with enough room under the salary cap to pay him maximum money or willing to sacrifice enough to draw the Clippers into a sign-and-trade deal.

Taylor, selected 14th overall by the Clippers out of Michigan in 1997, led the team in scoring last season at 17.1 points a game. But his inability to consistently rebound has hurt his value. Taylor averaged 6.5 rebounds last season.

Offensively, Taylor, 24, is skilled as any power forward. At 6 foot 9, he has nimble feet, a nice touch from the outside and is not afraid to drive to the basket.

Notes

Coach Alvin Gentry has not decided on his staff, but two candidates on his list include Dennis Johnson and Rex Kalamian. They finished last season as Clipper assistants. Missouri assistant John Hammond, who coached with Gentry in Detroit, is expected to be one of the three assistants. . . . Second-round draft choice Marko Jaric, a 6-7 guard from Italy, is not expected to sign with the Clippers because of a contractual commitment in Europe. . . . The Clippers are scheduled to open training camp the first week of October and could possibly return to Palm Desert, where the team trained two seasons ago.