Clippers May Find Success Has Its Price

These are different times for the Clippers, who have never faced a summer like this.

The best season in Clippers history raised the stakes for them. Now comes the hard part: maintaining their newfound status.

It could be an expensive off-season for owner Donald T. Sterling. Point guard Sam Cassell, the vocal co-captain and clutch performer, and sharp-shooting forward Vladimir Radmanovic are free agents. Third-year center Chris Kaman could receive an extension after an impressive season. Coach Mike Dunleavy has only one year remaining on his contract, and Elgin Baylor, the NBA’s executive of the year, is believed to be the league’s lowest-paid general manager.

As the Clippers prepare for the NBA draft (they have two second-round selections) on Wednesday, Sterling and Andy Roeser, executive vice president, must address many issues, and their decisions could determine whether the fun continues next season.

“Management has some decisions to make, some real big decisions,” Cassell said in a recent interview. “The atmosphere and excitement around town, and the way people look at the Clippers right now, it’s all about the legacy we can establish.”

Although teams cannot sign players to contracts until July 12, re-signing Cassell is the top priority, Clippers sources said, and Cassell says he’s eager to “finish my career as a Clipper.” There are issues, however, that might delay the process.

Cassell, who had a $6.1-million salary last season, said he’s seeking at least a two-year contract.

The Clippers acknowledged Cassell played a major role in the team’s best year since the franchise moved from Buffalo, N.Y., to California before the 1978-79 season, and management intends to express that to him when contract negotiations can officially begin Saturday.

The Clippers plan to offer Cassell a one-year contract for more than $6.1 million guaranteed but are reluctant to commit two years to him. Cassell turns 37 on Nov. 18, and backup point guard Shaun Livingston, 20, could be a starter next season.

Making a multiyear commitment to Cassell might impede the development of Livingston, some in the organization believe, and the Clippers have long-range salary-cap concerns.

The Clippers are hopeful Radmanovic would return for the midlevel exception of about $5 million, and they want to extend the contract of the 7-foot Kaman, who averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocked shots in a career-best season. Re-signing Cassell for one year fits with the team’s salary-cap strategy, sources said.

And then there’s Dunleavy’s situation. The 1999 NBA coach of the year is under contract next season at $2.5 million.

Last season, the Clippers had their highest victory total in California, set a franchise record for road victories, made their first playoff appearance in nine seasons and won a postseason series for the first time in 30 years. They advanced to Game 7 of a Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns.

Dunleavy has a below-market package for someone with his experience, especially considering his significant input in player-personnel decisions. Sterling has credited Dunleavy with much of the team’s improvement the last three seasons, and even Roeser, not known for publicly praising team employees, said he was confident the Clippers would defeat the Denver Nuggets in a first-round playoff series because “we have Mike Dunleavy.”

Dunleavy’s agent, Warren LeGarie, might seek a three-year extension for more than $7 million per season. Of course, Dunleavy could become a free agent after the 2006-07 season and pursue a big deal elsewhere after having helped to engineer the Clippers’ turnaround.

Baylor, in his 20th season with the Clippers, has a good working relationship with Dunleavy. Baylor made many moves that contributed to building the team’s foundation -- including drafting Kaman before Dunleavy was hired -- and also might benefit from the organization’s financial success.

“I feel wonderful for Elgin,” Cassell said. “That man’s name got dragged through the mud for so many years ... but look at the job he did with this basketball team.”

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Although the Clippers are considering whether to bring forward-center Sofoklis Schortsanitis of Greece, their second-round selection in the 2003 draft, to the NBA, he is expected to remain in Europe next season.