Clippers aim to keep Maggette

Impressed with Corey Maggette’s transformation into a playmaker late this season, the Clippers hope to re-sign the veteran forward to a multiyear contract extension, The Times has learned.

Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling recently reaffirmed his determination to keep Maggette after his contract ends in the 2008-09 season, team sources said, pledging the resources to retain the player who had a key role in a late push for a playoff berth that fell short on the regular season’s last day.

The development is significant because Maggette -- almost sent to the Indiana Pacers for Ron Artest in the 2005-06 season -- is considered one of the few players on the roster who has substantial trade value, and the Clippers’ preference to move forward with him indicates their salary-cap situation might deter them from making any major moves this summer.

General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy declined to comment specifically on the team’s plans during a news conference after exit interviews with players Friday, but they praised Maggette’s performance.

“You look at the injuries he had -- his hand, his ankle, his knee and his shoulder -- and to have to go through all that ... but Corey is a warrior,” Baylor said. “I’m happy, and I’m sure everyone is happy, because he has a lot of fans. The players on the team, the coaches, everybody is pulling for Corey.”

It’s unclear when the Clippers might begin negotiations with Maggette’s agent, Rob Pelinka, but Maggette can terminate the final year of his contract and become a free agent after the 2007-08 season. The eight-year veteran is owed $7 million in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.

Maggette this week said he didn’t want to discuss his situation, but his increased role within the offense “is something that’s positive, just because I was given a chance to really show what I can do to help this team win,” he said. “And again, I have to thank Mike for giving me the opportunity. It made a big difference.”

Over the last 15 games, Maggette averaged 20.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists. He raised his overall scoring average from 15.8 points to 16.9.

“Corey Maggette is a hell of a player,” Sam Cassell said. “We’re going to need him even more next year.”

It seems the Clippers are in need of much help after failing in their bid to earn consecutive playoff berths for the first time since the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons. Losing is nothing new to the Clippers, who have had only six winning records and seven playoff appearances in 37 seasons, but they failed while facing expectations for the first time, finishing at 40-42.

“It was disappointing because our expectations were high based on the success we had last year,” Baylor said. “The two teams that finished ahead of us had injuries too, so we can’t use injuries as an excuse.

“The basketball operation, the coach, coaching staff and the players are all accountable; Donald T. Sterling provided us with the resources that we needed. I will be working closely with Mike to make every effort to improve the team.”

The Clippers were over the salary cap with a payroll of $58 million (the cap was $53.1 million). With 10 guaranteed contracts for next season, the Clippers’ payroll could reach $64 million. The luxury-tax threshold was $65.4 million this season.

Sterling has approved many high-priced moves the last few seasons, but he won’t pay the tax, sources said.

Because the Clippers are over the cap, they only have the cap exceptions to sign free agents. They used the biannual exception on backup forward-center Aaron Williams last summer and won’t have it this summer, but will have the midlevel exception, which could increase from $5.2 million to about $5.5 million.

Shaun Livingston might sit out next season because of a severe knee injury and fellow point guard Cassell was sidelined often, so the Clippers are expected to spend a portion of the midlevel on a point guard. Since Dunleavy likes long-range shooters, the Clippers could use another piece of the midlevel on a consistent shooter.

The Clippers will be back in the draft lottery. They’ll select 14th in the first round unless they get a top-three pick and also have a second-round pick.

With the upcoming draft not considered strong for point guards, the Clippers are expected to target shooters and wings who could join the rotation next season. Yaroslav Korolev and Daniel Ewing -- the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 picks in the 2005 draft -- didn’t develop as hoped and probably won’t return.

The Clippers are optimistic about Chris Kaman bouncing back after a disappointing season. Kaman has committed to spending most of the summer in Los Angeles working with assistant coach Kim Hughes, and volunteered to play several games for the Clippers’ summer-league team in Las Vegas.

Sterling rewarded Dunleavy with a $22-million contract after the Clippers had their best season in California last season, and he expects Baylor and Dunleavy to make things right again after the team’s big bump in the road.

“I’m disappointed that we didn’t make the playoffs, but I believe in our guys,” Dunleavy said. “I feel good about our group.”

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jason.reid@latimes.com