Clippers’ Selection Not as Easy as 1-2-3

Officially, the Clippers do not begin next season until Oct. 5 when training camp opens. But in reality, next season will begin tonight with the NBA draft.

With the fourth overall choice, the Clippers do not have the luxury of knowing which player they will draft ahead of time because they are uncertain what Chicago, Vancouver and Charlotte will do with the first three picks.

Getting a player to boost a notoriously weak backcourt is essential for the Clippers, who passed up the chance to get point guard Mike Bibby last year to select center Michael Olowokandi with the No. 1 overall pick. Maryland’s Steve Francis and UCLA’s Baron Davis are considered the top two guards in the draft, but both could be taken by the time the Clippers are on the clock.

If Francis and Davis are gone, the Clippers probably will have to decide between Connecticut swingman Richard Hamilton, Miami of Ohio forward Wally Szczerbiak and possibly enigmatic Rhode Island guard/forward Lamar Odom.

“Picking someone who can help us is our No. 1 priority,� said Coach Chris Ford, who had a 9-41 record in his first season with the Clippers and is participating in his first draft with the team. “Someone who can come in and play right away regardless of the position.�

Several teams have contacted the Clippers about making a trade involving the No. 4 pick, but Elgin Baylor, vice president of basketball operations, hasn’t made a move.

“Earlier, there were a lot of teams calling, but it just so happens there weren’t any good offers,� said Baylor, who has been with the Clippers since 1985.

“Most teams want the No. 1 or 2 pick or at least the third pick. The quality of deals hasn’t been good.�

Only the Lakers’ Jerry West and Chicago’s Jerry Krause have participated in more consecutive drafts with the same team than Baylor, who has learned that you can never have too much information on a prospective player.

The Clippers put a lot of emphasis on how well a player does on a psychological exam before the draft. Jeff Weltman, director of player personnel, is hoping that the franchise’s extra effort in research will help the team land a solid player even with its second-round pick (31st overall).

Last season, the Clippers came up with two solid “previously overlooked� players in swingman Tyrone Nesby, who signed as a free agent from Nevada Las Vegas, and Troy Hudson, a former point guard in the Continental Basketball Assn.

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Clipper Picks in ‘90s

Players selected and the number pick overall in parenthesis:

* 1990: Bo Kimble, Loyola Marymount (8); Loy Vaught, Michigan (13)

* 1991: LeRon Ellis, Syracuse (22)

* 1992: Randy Woods, LaSalle (16); Elmore Spencer, UNLV (25)

* 1993: Terry Dehere, Seton Hall (13)

* 1994: Lamond Murray, California (7); Greg Minor, Louisville (25)

* 1995: Antonio McDyess, Alabama (2)

* 1996: Lorenzen Wright, Memphis (7)

* 1997: Maurice Taylor, Michigan (14)

* 1998: Michael Olowokandi, Pacific (1); Brian Skinner, Baylor (22)