Clippers’ Jaric Deal on Hold

The Clippers said Friday that because of NBA rules, they cannot sign Marko Jaric, a 6-foot-7 point guard from Yugoslavia, until July 17. The team and Jaric have agreed in principle on a contract of either three or four seasons, according to a league source.

As if to underscore the point, the Clippers waived point guard Earl Boykins, a 5-5 fan favorite who averaged 4.1 points in 68 games last season. Boykins’ $715,000 salary for next season would have kicked in if he’d remained on the roster after Sunday.

Meanwhile, power forwards Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely, the first-round draft picks, are expected to sign by July 8, when they are scheduled to meet with reporters at Staples Center. Neither will play in the summer league at Long Beach State, the Clippers said.

They had hoped that Jaric, a second-round pick in 2000, could play in a few summer league games, but he is slated to join the Yugoslav national team July 15 for workouts for the World Championships, which begin Aug. 29 at Indianapolis.

Elliott Teaford

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Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag ate some vanilla ice cream and even took a few laps around the nurses’ station after undergoing surgery in Dallas to donate a kidney to his younger sister.

Amy Hall, 26, was moved from intensive care to a regular room at Baylor University Medical Center, said spokeswoman Kathryn Goldstein.

Surgeon Butch Derrick said Ostertag was adjusting to one kidney and that the plan is to increase his activities daily.

The 7-foot-2 Ostertag was expected to be released today or Sunday. The transplant was performed Thursday.

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The Toronto Raptors have made a qualifying offer to restricted free-agent forward Keon Clark in order to retain his rights.

The 6-11 Clark, 27, can receive contract offers from other teams, but the Raptors have the right to match the offer and keep him on the team.

Clark averaged 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

Associated Press