Clippers official rules out 10-day signing

Reporting from Houston — Clippers vice president of basketball operations Neil Olshey responded with a two-word answer when asked whether he planned on signing a player to a 10-day contract.

“Absolutely not,” Olshey said of such a signing, despite the sizable void left by Eric Gordon’s injury and 24-point scoring average. Gordon has a sprained right wrist and bone chip fracture, which could possibly keep him out of the lineup for four weeks. Additionally, there is no timetable on a return for big man Chris Kaman (bone bruise), who has been out since Dec. 5.

Olshey was scouting college games and has not been with the team on this two-game trip to Texas. He said Gordon’s absence opened the door for rookie Willie Warren and veteran Rasual Butler.

“Willie Warren has played well for us when he’s played,” Olshey said. “And right now this is an opportunity for Rasual to rebuild his playing career.”

Butler played nearly 17 minutes at Houston, scoring two points. Warren has played a mere 2:32 — against Minnesota on Jan. 19 — since Nov. 28.

But the biggest shift in responsibility has been for Randy Foye, who has taken Gordon’s place in the starting lineup. On this trip, Foye scored 15 points at Dallas and was team-high with 20 at Houston.

“I’m really conscious of it because the way the ball swings, it’s always in my hands,” Foye said.

Etc.

Houston veteran center Chuck Hayes spoke about defending Blake Griffin after holding the rookie to 14 points.

“I can’t give him his first step to the rim or his first step to the offensive glass,” Hayes said.

Said Foye: “Chuck Hayes is a handful. He’s low. He’s smart. He takes away your first move and then he bodies up with you.”

lisa.dillman@latimes.com

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