Conroy is signed to shore up point

Concerned about Sam Cassell’s availability, the Clippers on Friday re-signed point guard Will Conroy from the development league and waived center Zeljko Rebraca to make room for Conroy on the roster.

Cassell, injured often this season, is out indefinitely because of back spasms, prompting Coach Mike Dunleavy to lean heavily on starter Jason Hart. Backup Daniel Ewing has struggled to run the offense, so the Clippers brought back Conroy, who previously signed a 10-day contract Feb. 28 and played in two games before being released when Hart signed.

“It was just too scary to try to go with two point guards,” Dunleavy said. “If something happened to Jason or Daniel ... it was just too risky.”

If the Clippers qualify for the Western Conference playoffs, Conroy would be eligible to be on the postseason roster. The Clippers also hold a contract option to sign Conroy for next season.

Rebraca has not played this season because of back problems and was sidelined most of last season because of heart and conditioning problems. With only eight games remaining and the Clippers in a tight race for a playoff berth, Dunleavy determined the Clippers needed more help at point guard.

“Will had been in,” Dunleavy said. “He learned our stuff, somewhat, but he had never really gotten a great opportunity. We liked him. We thought he would be the quickest study and the best guy available.”

The Clippers initially signed Conroy, selected second-team all-development league, to a 10-day contract after Shaun Livingston suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury Feb. 26 against Charlotte. In two games with the Clippers, Conroy averaged four assists. He also signed a 10-day contract with Memphis this season and played in three games.

Ewing has played well at times when he’s not the Clippers’ primary ballhandler, and the presence of Conroy could enable Dunleavy to use Ewing at shooting guard more often.

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Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley have made strides as playmakers and could be even more effective in the remaining games, Dunleavy said.

“We needed to go in a different direction” because of the problems at point guard, Dunleavy said. “We did a lot of reps with them more in playmaking roles; it’s been a whole process.

“It hasn’t been a straight line up for us, but it has been a line that has gone up. Some nights, we’ve faltered a little bit, but for the most part it has been very positive for us. I’m still looking for those guys to get better.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Denver, 7:30, Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 37-37, Nuggets 39-36.

Record vs. Nuggets -- 1-1.

Update -- A win would move the Clippers above .500 for the first time since Feb. 5. Elton Brand is averaging only 12 points and 7.5 rebounds against the Nuggets this season. Denver has won four in a row.

jason.reid@latimes.com