Dunleavy Is Amused by This Trade Rumor

When wins become scarce, trade rumors become plentiful.

With the Clippers having lost seven out of their last eight, the hot rumor has the team sending guard Kerry Kittles, center Chris Kaman and forward Chris Wilcox to the New Orleans Hornets for guard Baron Davis, a former UCLA Bruin.

Clipper Coach Mike Dunleavy laughed at that idea.

“You’d have better odds taking your money to Las Vegas than betting on that one,” he said.

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When wins become scarce, players-only team meetings become inevitable.

The Clipper co-leaders, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette, disagree on the best time for such a meeting.

Maggette thinks now would be appropriate.

“We need to get into the inner circle of the team and see what’s going on,” he said. “It would be very positive. I think with this team, [he and Brand] can be blunt with other guys and they can be blunt with us.”

Brand wants to wait until after tonight’s game, and perhaps longer.

“I’m not ready to jump into emergency status just yet,” Brand said. “Our problem is not a lack of effort. It’s a lack of precision.”

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Guard Marko Jaric, hampered by a sprained right foot, did not practice Tuesday and is doubtful for tonight.

TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Staples Center..

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 12-14, Jazz 11-17.

Record vs. Jazz -- 0-1.

Update -- With the Jazz, the Clippers find a team in worse shape than they are. Utah has won only 11 games, including only five of its 15 road games and only three of its last 10 overall. But good seasons or bad, the Jazz seem to get inspired when facing the Clippers. Utah has beaten them three in a row, six out of seven and 21 out of the last 23.