Baker Could Provide Help, Eventually

Four-time All-Star Vin Baker was considered among the NBA’s top power forwards in the 1990s.

Of course, it’s no longer the ‘90s.

Baker’s career took a major downturn this decade, and the 6-foot-11 player has not appeared in a game since last season, when he averaged 1.3 points in 27 games with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.

General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy considered trade proposals for post players, team sources said, but couldn’t find a match.

After sending inconsistent forward-center Chris Wilcox to the Seattle SuperSonics for long-range shooter Vladimir Radmanovic, Baylor and Dunleavy focused on acquiring another big man because of concerns about backup center Zeljko Rebraca, who underwent a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat and has experienced breathing problems while playing in only 15 games.

Out of the NBA until signing with the Clippers this week, Baker could play a role in the Clippers’ stretch run, but first he has to play in a game.

“He can do some things, but we didn’t necessarily think we would play him right away,” Dunleavy said of Baker, on the inactive list his first two games with the team.

“We wanted to bring him in, work on his conditioning and let him get an understanding of what we’re trying to do. We’ll see how it goes.”

Dunleavy, then general manager and coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, selected Baker with the eighth overall pick in the 1993 draft.

“It couldn’t have worked out any better to be a part of a system that I know already and had a lot of success with,” said Baker, a two-time All-NBA selection. “I pretty much know Mike’s system on both ends of the floor. It shouldn’t take me too long to get adjusted.”

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The Clippers wore orange-and-black retro uniforms from the 1970 season, when they were the Buffalo Braves.... The high school jersey of rookie guard Daniel Ewing, a native of Houston, was retired in a ceremony here Wednesday.