Dunleavy says his deal isn’t quite done yet
SACRAMENTO — Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy, reported by The Times to have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension, was noncommittal before Tuesday’s game.
“We’ve been talking and talks have been seemingly positive, but I don’t have a deal,” Dunleavy said. “I haven’t signed a deal yet so there’s nothing more I can really say....
“Unless there’s a dramatic falloff, I think something will get done.”
Said Elton Brand: “If it’s true, I think that’s great for the franchise....
“We’ve been thinking about it a little bit but coach is professional.... Of course, we’d like it locked up sooner than later so we don’t have to think about that the entire season so we’re glad that’s over with.”
Dunleavy has enjoyed unprecedented power over the basketball operations for a Clippers coach, even as he began the final season on his contract.
Negotiations dragged over the summer but warmed up just before camp. The two sides are reportedly in agreement on the length of the contract and the base salary, $5.2 million a season. Yet to be resolved is the issue of bonuses.
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During Saturday’s telecast of the Clippers loss in Minneapolis, ESPN’s Jim Gray reported that Brand had told him his legs were tired.
Brand’s energy level has been a topic of discussion after a summer in which he was married before going overseas with the U.S. team in the world championships and then going overseas again on the Clippers’ trip to Russia. Nevertheless, Brand still insists he’s OK.
“The jury’s still out for me, until I get five rebounds a game or shoot 40%, then I’ll say I’m tired,” Brand said. “Once I’m over 10 boards and shooting 50, I’m not giving up that easy.”
Brand came into Tuesday’s game averaging 17.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and shooting 51%. However, in his breakout 2005-06 season, his numbers were 24.7, 10 and 57%. His shot attempts were also 18 a game, as opposed to this season’s 14.
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