Maggette agrees to be the one off the bench

Corey Maggette, the NBA’s sixth man of the year?

It could happen after Maggette on Sunday volunteered to come off the bench for the remainder of the season.

The morning after his 23-point, 12-rebound performance in a victory over the Phoenix Suns, Maggette surprised Coach Mike Dunleavy in a private meeting during practice, saying he thought the move would be in the best interest of the team.

Maggette previously expressed reservations about accepting a reserve role, but he told Dunleavy his thinking had changed. Dunleavy eagerly accepted Maggette’s offer and committed to giving the seven-year veteran a prominent role in the offense.

Maggette has been frustrated with his standing on the team, many in the organization said, but his acceptance could help things improve.

“It’s about winning, it’s about the team, so I told him to let’s just do this,” Maggette said of his conversation with Dunleavy. “It’s not about the coach and our personal whatever we’re going through, it’s about my teammates and wanting to help them out. It’s just better for the team this way.”

It was for the Clippers in Saturday’s 114-108 victory at Staples Center.

Maggette provided a boost off the bench in an all-around strong performance, making 10 of 17 shots from the field with only one turnover in almost 31 minutes. Fans chanted his name as Maggette made big plays that energized the Clippers.

Dunleavy noticed and called plays especially for Maggette, who possesses the skills to become the league’s top reserve, Dunleavy said.

“It’s a role in which Corey Maggette could be an All-Star player and the sixth man of the year,” Dunleavy said. “His abilities are so unique as far as explosiveness, being able to get points and rebound the ball. Potentially, this could be really big for the development of the team. I think it will be.”

Of course, Dunleavy has to hold up his end of the deal, Maggette said.

“I’ve got to get touches, that’s what it needs to be, and he said I was right,” Maggette said. “That’s what he said, so we’ll see.”

Last season, Maggette, who missed 50 games because of injuries, averaged 17.8 points. He averaged 17 in a first-round playoff victory over the Denver Nuggets and averaged 14 points and 8.3 rebounds against the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals.

Maggette, the team’s leading scorer in the 2004-05 season, averaged personal bests of 22.2 points and 36.9 minutes.

“I’ve talked to Corey about it, and he told me he’s willing to do whatever he has to do to help us win,” All-Star power forward Elton Brand said. “He’s going out there and proving it. That’s going to be big for us.”

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Brand is scheduled to be featured soon in a profile on the Cartoon Network, a team spokesman said.

In the network’s “Lifestyles” series, athletes and other “inspirational people” are asked to explain how they achieved success and what kids can do to prosper in their lives.

Brand last season received the Joe Dumars trophy, presented to the NBA’s sportsmanship award winner.

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TONIGHT

vs. Portland, 7:30, FSN Prime

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 2-1, Trail Blazers 2-1.

2005-06 record vs. Trail Blazers -- 3-0.

Update -- Power forward Zach Randolph leads Portland with averages of 23 points and 9.3 rebounds. Impressive rookie guard Brandon Roy averages 18.3 points.

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jason.reid@latimes.com