Wang to Join Team at Monday Workout

The Clippers made it official Friday, completing the papers that enabled center Wang Zhizhi to become their newest player.

Wang will join his new teammates when they return from a three-exhibition trip, practicing for the first time as a Clipper during an open workout Monday at 6 p.m. at Staples Center. Admission is free.

Wang, who is from China, spent most of the last six months in Los Angeles, awaiting a move that would get him out of Dallas and into a Clipper or Laker uniform. He signed a three-season offer sheet worth $6 million with the Clippers on Oct. 2. The Mavericks declined to match the offer sheet so Wang became a Clipper on Friday.

“A lot of teams were interested in him, but L.A. was the place he wanted to be,” said Jeff Schwartz, Wang’s agent.

“We’re happy it’s finally done,” Elgin Baylor, Clipper general manager, said before the team’s 98-91 exhibition loss to the Bulls at Chicago. “We feel he’ll be a positive addition to our team. There are a lot of things I like about him ... his size and his ability to run the floor.”

Wang, at 7 feet 1, 275 pounds, also is an excellent outside shooter. His low-post game needs work.

Baylor envisions Wang as a backup to center Michael Olowokandi and power forward Elton Brand, but also said fans could see Wang, Olowokandi and Brand on the floor together on occasion. Olowokandi and Brand have been sidelined for all of the Clippers’ six exhibitions because of knee injuries and their status for the season opener Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers is uncertain.

“He gives us more options,” Baylor said of Wang. “I would like to see them all play together, but it’s up to the coach [Alvin Gentry]. Teams will have a heck of a time matching up against that size.”