Big (Ten) Pick for Clippers

The Clippers wanted to select a center Wednesday in the NBA draft, and they got one in Paul Davis of Michigan State.

They chose the 6-foot-11, 270-pound Davis at No. 34 overall -- the first of their two second-round picks -- and the former Big Ten Conference standout could have a significant role next season behind starter Chris Kaman.

“He has good size,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “He can also hit the perimeter shot.”

With the No. 52 pick, the Clippers selected guard Guillermo Diaz from Miami.

Because of the Clippers’ roster, Diaz, a native of Puerto Rico, might not make the team next season, though the Clippers would retain his draft rights if he played in Europe.

“He has a passport,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Last season as a senior, Davis averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 57% from the field and 87% from the free-throw line. He started in his last three seasons for the Spartans.

The Clippers have concerns about veteran center Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined most of last season because of heart and conditioning problems, so they moved to add depth at the position by selecting Davis, who turns 22 on July 21.

“We had to go big, we had to fill a need at 34, and we feel we did that with Paul,” said Neil Olshey, director of player personnel. “He can step in and play right away.”

Davis, who said he worked out for 14 teams, had a good experience in a pre-draft session Tuesday with the Clippers.

“Playing behind [Elton] Brand and Chris Kaman, I think it’s going to be a perfect match,” Davis said in a conference call. “I feel I can contribute.”

The Clippers considered trade proposals to acquire a first-round selection, team sources said, but the best offers were rejected because teams wanted veteran swingman Corey Maggette.

Although Maggette played in only 32 games last season because of foot, hamstring and back injuries, Baylor and Dunleavy determined there wasn’t a player in the draft who could contribute more than Maggette next season.

Dunleavy said Maggette, signed through the 2008-09 season, could be the league’s best sixth man, although that’s not a role Maggette would prefer.

“He has his views and I have mine,” Maggette said in a recent interview. “I want to be here and help this team, so nobody’s asking for a trade, but there were some things I had to get off my chest. I said some things to him that needed to be said in our last meeting, and now I’m just looking forward to helping us win next season.”

*

As expected, the Clippers exercised their fourth-year option on point guard Shaun Livingston. Livingston is now signed through the 2007-08 season. He will have a salary of almost $3.5 million next season and more than $4.4 million in 2007-08.

The Clippers have sold 2,000 new season tickets, the third-highest total in the NBA, according to a team official.... Reserve center Boniface Ndong is expected to return to the team next season.

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Clippers picks

PAUL DAVIS, 34th pick

*--* Michigan St. HT: 6-11 WT: 270 Forward PPG: 17.5 RPG: 9.1

*--*

* Shot 57% from the field.... He is No. 4 on Michigan State’s all-time rebounds list and the Spartans’ No. 8 all-time scorer.... a 21-year-old Detroit native, was the third Michigan State player chosen Wednesday.

GUILLERMO DIAZ, 52nd pick

*--* Miami (Fla.) HT: 6-2 WT: 190 Guard PPG: 15.9 APG: 2.9

*--*

* A native of Puerto Rico.... Started all 34 games for the Hurricanes.... “At the 52nd pick we were surprised,” said Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy. “A lot of people talked about him being picked at the end of the first round.”

Source: Associated Press