Cassell Validates Lucas’ Support

Some NBA observers wondered whether Sam Cassell would help the Clippers, but John Lucas was not among them.

Before the season, Lucas, a former NBA player and coach, said General Manager Elgin Baylor made “a great move” in acquiring the veteran point guard from the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Lucas’ view is now the consensus around the league.

Lucas, who spent time with the coaching staff this week while visiting Los Angeles, said he wouldn’t be surprised if Cassell, 36, continued to perform at a high level for three more seasons.

“What people don’t understand about Sam Cassell is that he has an innate ability to make the people around him better,” he said. “One of the things Minnesota misses this year without Sam is a swagger that he brings to everybody else, and now the Clippers have that swagger.

“Some people like to talk about Sam’s defense. Does he guard the best? No. But you can’t guard him.”

Cassell, who spent the summer in Houston with Lucas to prepare for the season, could become a free agent after the NBA Finals.

Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy hope to re-sign the 13-year veteran, who recently said he would prefer to play behind Shaun Livingston next season and join the coaching staff when he retires.

“I think he would be a great guy coming off the bench, if his ego could handle it, and I think it could at this point,” Lucas said. “This is a good team for Sam, I think they see it and he sees it, and money isn’t the most important issue.

“You can chase the dollar you’re looking for your whole career, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get it. The thing I’ve told Sam is that you also have to look at what’s a good opportunity for you, and the other piece of it is his longevity. I know that’s something Sam is thinking about.”

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Baylor recently praised Dunleavy because the Clippers have remained in position to make the playoffs despite injuries to key players.

“Oh, yeah, Mike’s definitely done a very good job,” Baylor said. “You have to look at how the coaching staff has been able to overcome a lot of these things we’ve had to deal with, and that starts with Mike.”

Dunleavy is in the final guaranteed season of his contract. Owner Donald T. Sterling is expected to exercise the team’s 2006-07 option.

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Backup center Zeljko Rebraca (strained left hamstring) did not make the trip.

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TONIGHT

at Chicago, 5:30 PST, Channel 5

Site -- United Center.

Radio -- 1150, 830.

Records -- Clippers 34-25, Bulls 27-34.

Record vs. Bulls -- 0-1.

Update -- The Bulls defeated the Clippers, 97-91, on Feb. 12 at Staples Center. Chicago is last in the Central Division.