Clippers prefer to trade in futures

Their overall history is more disappointing than inspiring, so the Clippers rarely draw on the past at the start of a new season.

And, their recent success notwithstanding, they’re still looking ahead as their season opens tonight in Phoenix. Last season’s fun was only the beginning, the Clippers say, and it’s time to create even better memories.

“We don’t talk about what we accomplished last year,” point guard Sam Cassell said. “We showed this league that the Clippers are no joke anymore, and that’s great, but that’s over with. It’s all about what we do this year -- and we expect to do a lot.”

The best season in franchise history was followed by a summer in which the Clippers re-signed Cassell and landed free-agent forwards Tim Thomas and Aaron Williams.

Under Coach Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers last season posted their highest victory total in California, set a franchise mark for road victories, made their first playoff appearance in nine seasons and won a postseason series for the first time in 30 years. They also advanced to Game 7 of a Western Conference semifinals series against Phoenix.

In 34 previous seasons, the Clippers had only five winning records and six playoff appearances and hadn’t finished at least .500 in more than a decade, so things look good for them for a change.

This season could be even better because of the team’s “talent and depth, but we’re not starting at the second round of the playoffs, we’re starting at zero-zero just like everybody else,” All-Star power forward Elton Brand said. “That’s why you have to stay focused and keep working.”

Brand leads by example, pushing himself harder than ever despite his heavy workload last season, and in the summer as a member of the U.S. national team that earned a bronze medal at the world championships in Japan.

Last season he averaged a team-high 39.2 minutes in 79 games. Brand also led the Clippers in scoring with a personal-best average of 24.7 points, rebounds at 10 a game and blocked shots at a 2.54 rate.

In the seven-game series against the Suns, Brand averaged 45.6 minutes, 30.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.14 blocks and shot 59.1% from the field. Some within the Clippers organization are concerned about Brand being overextended, saying other players must do more this season.

Certainly Cassell returns to the court ready to shoot.

He averaged 17.2 points and a team-leading 6.3 assists in his first season with the Clippers, but Cassell’s swagger, upbeat personality and clutch shooting were considered as important to an organization that needed a confidence boost.

The Clippers rewarded Cassell with a two-year, $13-million contract, and the 13-year veteran is expected to have a key role, although it seems point guard Shaun Livingston is ready for more work.

The 6-foot-7 Livingston, 21, impressed in exhibition play and might open the season in the starting lineup for the first time. Slowed because of injuries in his first two seasons, Livingston could have a breakout year.

“There’s no question about the talent,” said General Manager Elgin Baylor, who selected Livingston out of high school with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft. “He’s healthy now, so I really expect a great year out of Shaun.”

The Clippers also expect bigger things from 7-foot center Chris Kaman, who over the weekend signed a five-year, $52-million contract extension.

Last season, Kaman, 24, had career-high averages of 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocked shots. In 32.8 minutes, he shot 52.3% from the field and 77% from the free-throw line. The team’s 2003 first-round draft pick (sixth overall) was sidelined for most of the exhibition season because of a strained left hamstring.

Guard Cuttino Mobley signed the richest contract ($42 million) in Clippers history for a free agent from outside the organization, and then his three-point shooting dropped from 43.9% to 33.9%. Mobley, however, often guarded bigger forwards because of injuries to others.

The Clippers’ best perimeter defender is swingman Quinton Ross, who improved on offense and could become a full-time starter. Then there’s veteran swingman Corey Maggette, who sat out 50 games last season because of foot, hamstring and back injuries.

Maggette led the team in scoring at 22.2 points a game in the 2004-05 season, but the Clippers have changed and improved since then. Whether Maggette remains with the team could depend, in part, on his willingness to come off the bench this season.

The 6-10 Thomas should provide long-range shooting and versatility. In Phoenix’s first-round playoff victory over the Lakers, Thomas averaged 15.6 points and made 47.1% of his three-point attempts. The nine-year veteran shot 51.7% on three-pointers as the Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals.

Center Zeljko Rebraca’s back problems have opened the door for rookie Paul Davis to be Kaman’s primary backup. Second-year player James Singleton is aggressive on defense and rebounds well, but lacks Williams’ size and experience at power forward behind Brand.

“We’ve put some pieces in place,” Dunleavy said. “We think we have the goods to play deep into the playoffs and do some things in the future.”

jason.reid@latimes.com

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Clippers roster

Statistics from 2005-06 season (*rookie; statistics from 2006 exhibition season):

GUARDS

NO.; PLAYER; YEAR; HT; WT; PPG; RPG; APG; JASON REID’S COMMENT

3; Daniel Ewing; 2; 6-3 ; 185; 3.8; 1.3; 1.3; Contributed with solid defense in rookie season.

5; Cuttino Mobley; 8; 6-4; 215; 14.8; 4.3; 3.0; His three-point shooting wasn’t what team had hoped for.

14; Shaun Livingston; 3; 6-7; 182; 5.8; 3.0; 4.5; For point guard of future, the future has arrived.

13; Quinton Ross; 3; 6-6; 193; 4.7; 2.5; 1.2; “Q” provides strong defense and improved offense.

19; Sam Cassell; 14; 6-3; 185; 17.2; 3.7; 6.3; Clutch shooter still doing his thing at almost 38.

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FORWARDS

NO.; PLAYER; YEAR; HT; WT; PPG; RPG; APG; JASON REID’S COMMENT

2; Tim Thomas; 9; 6-10; 240; 10.2; 6.0; 1.2; Long-range shooter revived career in Phoenix.

8; Yaroslav Korolev; 2; 6-9; 203; 1.1; 0.5; 0.4; Former first-round pick a free agent after the season.

15; James Singleton; 2; 6-8; 215; 3.4; 3.3; 0.5; Undersized power forward gets to loose balls.

34; Aaron Williams; 13; 6-9; 235; 3.0; 2.3; 0.0; Veteran post player provides needed depth.

40; Paul Davis*; R; 6-11; 270; 3.3; 5.1; 1.3; Intelligence, shooting touch impressed coaches.

42; Elton Brand; 8; 6-8; 254; 24.7; 10.0; 2.6; Franchise player sets tone for improved lineup.

50; Corey Maggette; 8; 6-6; 225; 17.8; 5.3; 2.1; Scorer’s minutes tied to success on defense.

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CENTERS

NO.; PLAYER; YEAR; HT; WT; PPG; RPG; APG; JASON REID’S COMMENT

35; Chris Kaman; 4; 7-0; 265; 11.9; 9.6; 1.0; Skilled big man emerging among league’s best.

11; Zeljko Rebraca; 5; 7-0; 265; 4.7; 2.2; 0.3; Sidelined indefinitely because of back problems.