Free-Agent Questions Are Simply Continuous

The questions keep getting asked and Coach Alvin Gentry continues to answer them as politely as possible. He knows every time the team leaves Los Angeles, inquiring minds want to know:

“Alvin, what’s the deal with all those free agents the Clippers have at season’s end? Aren’t you concerned the guys will start playing for themselves in an attempt to drive up their value next summer?”

The Clippers have eight players who will be free agents, although only Michael Olowokandi and Eric Piatkowski are unrestricted and free to sign with the highest bidder next summer. Six others, including Elton Brand, Andre Miller and Lamar Odom, are restricted, which means the Clippers have the right to match any offers.

“Obviously, it’s in the back of their minds,” Gentry said. “We can’t do anything right now as far as contracts until the season is over. So we’ve set our goals on the court. It’s a distraction, but I think our guys have handled it well. I don’t see any selfish play on the court so far.

“Actually, I’m a little sensitive to their situations. I understand how important the stats are to them. I might even play a guy a few more minutes than I might have.”

Gentry isn’t the only one fielding questions about Clipper free agents.

On consecutive days, reporters from a South Florida newspaper asked Olowokandi and Odom about their futures as free agents. Negotiations begin July 1, with July 16 the first day free agents can sign new contracts.

Stay tuned.

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Brand’s totals of 25 points and 20 rebounds in Tuesday’s victory over the Miami Heat marked the fourth time in his career he has had a 20-20 game. It was his third as a Clipper, tying a club record shared by Benoit Benjamin, Michael Cage and Swen Nater.

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TONIGHT

vs. Orlando, 7, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KXTA (1150).

Records -- Clippers 3-4, Magic 5-3.

Record vs. Magic -- 1-0.

Update -- After starting the season with a 5-1 record, the Magic has lost two in a row. The Clippers defeated the Magic, 120-117, Sunday at Orlando. The Magic also lost Tuesday to the Toronto Raptors. After starting 1-4, the Clippers have won consecutive games, defeating the Magic and the Heat. Tonight is the first game of a stretch of four in five nights for the Clippers, their first sets of games on consecutive nights. It’s also the first of 10 appearances on national cable TV.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.