Olowokandi Runs With the ‘Wolves

Michael Olowokandi, the Clippers’ starting center for the last five seasons, became their first free agent to bolt this summer, agreeing to a three-year, $16.2-million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Olowokandi, the first overall pick in the 1998 draft, had been expected to depart, having worn out his welcome by speaking out on the subject of contracts, taboo among the Clippers.

Olowokandi was a disappointment for his first three seasons but came on strong in 2001-02, averaging career-highs of 11 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Disregarding a flap after being suspended for speaking out, he said he wanted to stay, but negotiations for a new contract stalled last summer. A frustrated Olowokandi then gave the Clippers a deadline to sign him, another no-no.

He came back to put up better numbers -- 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds -- last season but it was a disaster for the team and Olowokandi, who wound up playing only 36 games before leaving to have arthroscopic knee surgery.

He returned in mid-March, hoping to play, but the Clippers wouldn’t let him back on the floor.

This situation dropped Olowokandi from among the premier free agents, leaving him with few suitors, despite his size (7-feet, 270 pounds), youth (28), athleticism and skills. He wound up having to take the $4.9-million mid-level exception.

In recent days, he and agent Bill Duffy had been negotiating with the Denver Nuggets, whom Olowokandi had named his No. 1 choice. However, even the lowly Nuggets stood him up. An attempt to arrange a sign-and-trade that would have sent him to Memphis foundered when the Clippers elected not to take any players back for him. So Olowokandi was obliged to go to Minnesota.

“Last week, I said that Denver was my top choice,” Olowokandi told the Rocky Mountain News Tuesday night. “But I’m not disappointed. Minnesota wasn’t available then. Now, they’re my top choice.”

Olowokandi’s availability was providential for the Timberwolves, whose center, Rasho Nesterovic, says he will sign with the San Antonio Spurs.

With Olowokandi gone, the Clippers are expected to make second-year center Melvin Ely a starter.