Kittles Likely to Start Season on Injured List

With hope fading that the Clippers’ projected starting lineup will come together anytime soon, Coach Mike Dunleavy indicated Friday that shooting guard Kerry Kittles probably would open the season on the injured list.

“More than likely, that would be the case, unless something changes,” Dunleavy said before the Clippers’ exhibition game against the Lakers at Staples Center. “He’d have to wake up one morning and say, ‘You know what? I feel really good. I’m ready to start going.’ And that would have to happen at least a week before the season starts, I would think....

“Kerry’s deal is the curveball in the mix right now.”

Kittles, a seven-year NBA starter acquired in a July trade with the New Jersey Nets, has not practiced with his new teammates, his balky right knee having limited his activity since arthroscopic surgery in June.

He is participating in a conditioning program designed to strengthen his knee and has given no timetable for his return.

The Clippers, who gave up Quentin Richardson to acquire Kittles, open the season Nov. 3 against the Seattle SuperSonics at Staples Center.

*

He broke into the NBA with the Lakers, often drew the ire of Shaquille O’Neal and turned down a multimillion-dollar offer from the Clippers last summer.

Not Kobe Bryant.

Vlade Divac.

“When I decided to leave Sacramento, L.A. was the place where I figured out I could play,” said Divac, who signed a two-year, $10.3-million contract with the Lakers, rejecting a more lucrative offer from the Clippers to be Chris Kaman’s backup. “Mike Dunleavy called me, but I told him if I had an opportunity to go to the Lakers I would go to the Lakers. It’s my team, you know?

“I used to play here. I feel very comfortable here.”