Baylor Promises to Wait and See

No trades, Elgin Baylor vowed this weekend, the second time this month he has said he’s not looking to make a deal.

“Let us play some games,” said Baylor, the Clipper general manager. “Let us get into the season and we’ll see how it goes. My thinking is that we’ll go with this team and see how it goes.”

Besides, the Clippers aren’t looking to add to their payroll, roughly $6 million below the NBA’s salary cap of $42.5 million. Adding players other teams don’t want also doesn’t make sense, said Baylor.

“Who are we going to trade with? Everybody else except Chicago is already over the cap,” Baylor said.

So, with that issue decided, Baylor turned to the team’s training camp, which wrapped up Saturday, and to the regular season, which begins Tuesday against the Spurs at San Antonio.

“The thing I’m most excited about is that all the guys came to camp in very good condition,” he said. “It means they worked hard this summer. It told me they were really looking forward to having a good season.”

Unlike past seasons, the Clippers created high expectations by going 18-18 to close last season, finishing with a 31-51 record. They also were 13-3 down the stretch at Staples Center, establishing a true home-court advantage for perhaps the first time since the team was called the Buffalo Braves.

“I’m very excited to see how we’ll play with all the hard work we’ve put in and all the enthusiasm we have,” Baylor said. “If we stay healthy, there’s no reason we can’t have a very successful season. I’m always optimistic, but I’m really looking forward to this year. I’m more optimistic than I’ve ever been.”

Asked why, he said, “The players all have another year of experience. They’ve shown improvement. Plus, there’s the addition of Elton Brand. That’s why I’m more excited. We all should be more excited--coaches, players, everybody.”

Coach Alvin Gentry figures it might take 10 to 15 games before he gets a handle on the Clippers’ potential this season.

“At some stage, we’re going to be a very good team,” Gentry said. “When we jell, we’ll be very good. With young players, you always get better as the season goes along. The same thing happened last year.”

Asked for a prediction for the season, he said, “I think we’re better than last year. But that doesn’t mean anything in the West because everybody’s better. Although we’ve improved, it doesn’t guarantee anything.”

Forward Lamar Odom did not practice Friday or play in Saturday’s scrimmage because of an abdominal strain, but there’s no doubt he will start Tuesday.