Mobley and Clippers Have a Deal

The Clippers may have finally addressed their long-range needs.

One year after trading for Kerry Kittles, who showed up with a bum knee and never panned out, they reached an agreement Wednesday with unrestricted free agent Cuttino Mobley on terms of a multiyear deal, Mobley’s agent said.

Andy Miller, who represents the veteran shooting guard, declined to reveal terms, but it is believed to be a five-year deal worth $42 million.

Though offers made to Kobe Bryant and Gilbert Arenas in recent years and to Ray Allen this month were more lucrative, this will be by far the richest contract the Clippers have ever awarded a free agent from outside the organization.

Only Elton Brand, who as a restricted free agent two years ago signed an $82-million offer sheet with the Miami Heat before the Clippers reeled him back by matching it, has ever wrung more cash out of owner Donald T. Sterling.

But the Clippers, who last season finished last in the NBA in three-point shots made and attempted, were eager to add a long-range shooter and to erase the sting of losing Bobby Simmons, who last week accepted a five-year, $47-million offer from the Milwaukee Bucks.

For an average of $8.4 million annually, $1 million a year less than they would have had to pay Simmons to match the Bucks’ offer, the Clippers landed a player they believe fits better in their starting lineup, fills their most pressing need -- he ranked third in the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy last season -- and gives them more flexibility to continue scouring the free-agent market.

Looking to bolster their bench, they’ll continue talking to Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Marko Jaric and Zeljko Rebraca, and also are interested in pursuing another veteran shooting guard, Bonzi Wells. The Memphis Grizzlies hold an option on Wells’ contract but are expected to release him this month, making him a free agent. Contracts cannot be signed before July 22.

Mobley, who will turn 30 on Sept. 1, is expected to move into the starting lineup alongside Brand, Corey Maggette, Chris Kaman and Shaun Livingston, enabling Maggette to move back to small forward, his more natural position.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity,” said Miller, Mobley’s agent.

“The Clippers have been very diligent and aggressive in pursuing Cuttino and we’re extremely pleased with this deal ... and the opportunity that lies in front of us.”

A 6-foot-4 left-hander, Mobley has averaged 17.1 points in seven NBA seasons, the first six with the Houston Rockets, while making 43.3% of his shots, 38.3% from beyond the arc.

He was traded twice in the last 13 months, last summer to the Orlando Magic and in January to the Sacramento Kings.

He averaged 17.2 points last season, then opted out of a contract that would have paid him $6.4 million next season.

Asked how Mobley would fit with the Clippers, Miller said, “Perfectly -- on many levels: in terms of his role, his personality, his experience. They’re right on the cusp of being a playoff team, and I think adding him into the mix will only enhance the situation. He’s infatuated with L.A., thinks it’s a great opportunity for him, really likes the environment there, the climate, all the variables that go into living in the L.A. region. So, it fits on a business, professional and personal level.”

Miller said other teams were interested -- Sacramento had hoped to put together a sign-and-trade deal -- but the Clippers made the most sense.

“As we sifted through it,” he said, “they’re a young team, they have a good nucleus, a very, very good coach. They’re very aggressive with everything, laid out a very specific plan, stuck to that plan.

“And for Cuttino and where he is in his life and his career, he felt that this was the opportunity that he’d been looking for for quite some time.”

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New Clipper

The signing of Cuttino Mobley is only the fifth major free-agent signing in Clipper history. A look at the first four, when they signed, and how many games each lasted with the team:

*--* Year Player Games 1979 Bill Walton 169 1985 Jamaal Wilkes 13 1999 Sherman Douglas 30 2003 Glen Rice 18

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