Baylor Says Team Is His Best Yet

These are good days for General Manager Elgin Baylor, who seemingly has reason for optimism this season.

The Clippers believe they’re a playoff-caliber team because of the addition of veteran guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley, and even injuries to key players Corey Maggette, Shaun Livingston and Walter McCarty haven’t tempered enthusiasm.

The organization also recently announced plans to build a state-of-the-art practice facility, which could help in the recruitment of free agents, and Baylor is convinced that the basketball operation is at its strongest point in his 20-year tenure.

“I think this is the most talent we have had,” said Baylor, who assembled teams that made postseason appearances in the 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1996-97 seasons. “I have clear expectations for this season, more than any time in the past. I have high expectations for myself and for the coaching staff. I expect that the people on our team, who we count on to perform at a high level, will do that.

“If that happens, I’m sure that the expectations about how well we’ll do as a team will be met. Then it won’t be enough to just say we should make the playoffs. Then it should be all about shooting even higher.”

Owner Donald T. Sterling loosened the purse strings in recent seasons, having made major financial commitments to retain forwards Elton Brand and Maggette.

The Clippers finished last in the NBA in three-point shooting last season, so Baylor brought in Mobley, who ranked third in the NBA. Mobley signed the richest contract -- $42 million -- in team history for a free agent from outside the organization.

“Donald T. deserves more credit as an owner,” Baylor said. “I can’t say that every decision I have ever made has been perfect. As an owner, Donald T. is entitled to my respect and appreciation in return for his loyalty and support over the years.

“He has been a great employer and a good friend, and the fact that we have put together this core group of talented players for the long term -- with no [salary] cap problems to overcome -- is a testimony to his ownership. We have a good, sound franchise with a lot of expert, long-term people.

“We have a great fan base made up of incredibly dedicated fans. Now, we’ve put together a team that can sustain success, and that makes everything worth it.”

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Coach Mike Dunleavy again hinted that Maggette, sidelined with a strained left hamstring, could return on the Clippers’ four-game road swing, which begins Monday in Minnesota.

“Everything is moving forward,” Dunleavy said.

Times staff writer Mike Terry contributed to this report.