Baylor Is Looking for a Big Season

General Manager Elgin Baylor said Saturday he expects even bigger things from the Clippers this season.

The team last season advanced to Game 7 of a Western Conference semifinal series against the Phoenix Suns, and the deep and experienced group has not reached its ceiling, Baylor said.

“There’s a lot to look forward to,” Baylor said after practice at Santa Barbara City College. “We went to the second round last year, and we had an opportunity to advance further than that and came close.

“For that reason, there’s a greater desire to improve on last season. And we should be better.”

With 47 victories in the regular season, the Clippers had their highest total since the franchised moved to California. They also established a franchise record for road victories despite not having swingman Corey Maggette for 50 games and backup point guard Shaun Livingston for 21.

Point guard and co-captain Sam Cassell re-signed with the Clippers, and they lured free-agent forwards Tim Thomas and Aaron Williams to Los Angeles.

“We didn’t have Maggette for almost the whole season and Shaun also missed a lot of time, and having those guys back healthy should make a big difference,” Baylor said. “Injuries always play a big part in the type of season you’re going to have, and those two guys are key people for us.

“We’re coming back almost intact from last year, and these guys have that experience of playing together. It should only help us.”

The continued development of 7-foot center Chris Kaman has provided a boost for the Clippers.

Kaman, beginning his fourth season in the NBA, had personal-best averages of 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocked shots last season. He is expected to be a bigger factor on offense this season.

“I expected him to improve each year and he has,” said Baylor, who selected Kaman sixth overall in the 2003 draft. “He’s gotten more involved in the offense and he’s playing a major role on this team.”

The Clippers are expected to make a formal contract extension offer to Kaman’s agent this month.

Based on recent contracts signed by centers with comparable statistics, Kaman could receive as much as $10 million to $12 million a season.

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The Clippers had planned to have only the 14 players with guaranteed contracts on the season-opening roster, but they might keep 15 because of injury concerns, team sources said.

Backup center Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined most of last season because of heart and conditioning problems, did not attend training camp because of back problems, and Thomas also has a sore lower back. Williams has a sore back and his availability is day to day.

Among the players without guaranteed contracts, forwards Lamond Murray and Jawad Williams have shot well in practice.

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jason.reid@latimes.com