Clippers Try to Keep Their Puzzle Together

The Clippers moved quickly late Friday in an attempt to retain point guard Sam Cassell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic, making offers to the key players on the first day teams could discuss financial terms with free agents, The Times has learned.

They offered Cassell, last season’s co-captain and emotional leader, a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $12 million. Radmanovic, whose long-range shooting helped in the Clippers’ run to the Western Conference semifinals, received a five-year, $31-million offer, sources close to the players said. Players can sign contracts beginning July 12.

Teams were permitted to open negotiations immediately after midnight on the East Coast, and the Clippers extended the proposals to the players’ representatives on Friday at 9:01 p.m., sources said. At one point, the Clippers believed they were close to reaching agreements with both players.

Other teams’ interest in Cassell and Radmanovic, however, delayed the process, and it became unclear whether the Clippers would have to pursue alternatives. The Lakers were believed to be among the teams aggressively pursuing Radmanovic.

Cassell’s agent, David Falk, persuaded the Clippers to make a two-year offer.

Including bonuses, Cassell had a $6.3-million salary last season. The team had initially considered offering Cassell, who turns 37 on Nov. 18, a one-year, $7.5-million contract, or about $2.1 million more than the midlevel exception for 2006-07 season.

That rate would have made Cassell the third-highest paid on the roster behind power forward Elton Brand and swingman Cuttino Mobley. Moreover, only 11 point guards in the NBA last season made more than $7 million.

Cassell, however, wants the security of a multiyear package, so he was weighing taking less guaranteed money (about $5.4 million) in the first year of the deal. The 13-year veteran averaged 17.2 points and a team-leading 6.3 assists during the season. In the postseason, Cassell averaged 18 points and 5.8 assists.

Despite Cassell’s contribution, some NBA observers might consider it surprising the Clippers would be willing to pay him that much at his age, especially considering Cassell might play behind rising young point guard Shaun Livingston next season.

But Cassell’s confidence, upbeat personality and clutch shooting helped the Clippers experience their best season, and improve the image of a franchise once considered among the worst in sports. Moreover, Cassell is one of the team’s most popular players with fans.

The 6-foot-10 Radmanovic is considering taking the midlevel exception. Radmanovic, who earned $3.1 million last season, would have a salary of about $5.4 million next season and receive 8% increases each season, if he accepted the Clippers’ proposal.

At Coach Mike Dunleavy’s prodding, the Clippers traded backup forward-center Chris Wilcox to the Seattle SuperSonics for Radmanovic on Feb. 14. Wilcox, a former first-round draft pick whose inconsistency and apparent lackadaisical attitude infuriated Dunleavy, thrived in Seattle, and Radmanovic fit in well with the Clippers.

The three-point specialist prompted opponents to extend their defense, opening opportunities for others on offense. And teams were reluctant to double-team Brand as often with Radmanovic on the court.

In 30 games with the Clippers, Radmanovic averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. He made 41.8% of his three-pointers.

He averaged 8.1 points in the postseason while shooting 46.3% beyond the three-point arc. Radmanovic made five of six three-pointers against the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.