CLIPPERS CLOSER LOOK: THE UNCERTAIN CLIPPERS COULD PULL A SURPRISE.

Byline: Sean Kearns Staff Writer

The Clippers are in a familiar position in late June - holding a top-five draft pick, entertaining trade offers and waiting for a head coach.

Heading into today's NBA Draft in Minneapolis, the Clippers still had the third overall pick. But vice president of operations Elgin Baylor spent most of Tuesday talking with several teams.

``Our phone lines have all been burning up in both directions and we are taking a hard look at every angle,'' said Baylor. ``But it would be completely premature to say any serious discussions have taken place concerning a trade.''

The Clippers have the third, 18th and 30th picks in the draft.

There were reports that they were interested in getting a point guard to replace Derek Anderson, a free agent, and a big forward to replace Maurice Taylor, also a free agent.

However, it appears unlikely they will make any deals prior to the draft, thus leaving them to decide between Marcus Fizer or Darius Miles.

Miles is the most intriguing player available. He is lean and agile at 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds, with good jumping ability and quickness. Last year, he worked as a counselor at Michael Jordan's summer camp in Santa Barbara.

``We played a little counselor game every night and he picked me to be on his team every night,'' Miles said of Jordan, who has publicly stated he would take Miles if Washington had the No. 1 pick. He truly liked the kid's precocious behavior.

```Sometimes I'd probably just put my warm-up suit on, and not even my jersey. Low teams need the lottery pick. They need players that are going to make a difference. Like Vince Carter. He came in, and three years later they made the playoffs. If you get a player with a whole lot of potential, he can turn your franchise around.''

The Chicago Bulls have the No. 4, 7 and 24 picks and the Orlando Magic have No. 5, 10 and 13. As an extra benefit, all three teams have room to make a personnel move under the salary cap.

Reports had the Magic looking to trade up to the Clippers' No. 3 spot to Miles, who was projected to go to the Bulls with the fourth pick. The Magic would miss out on Miles at five.

Even with most trade scenarios, the Clippers should end up with Fizer, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward from Iowa State. Fizer would give the Clippers a lottery front line with center Michael Olowokandi, 1998's top choice overall, and small forward Lamar Odom, 1999's fourth overall pick.

But he has been lukewarm about playing for the Clippers.

Playing an undersized center much of the time at Iowa State, Fizer averaged 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds a game last year as a junior.

In workouts, Fizer felt he was able to better show his shooting range and dribbling skills.

``I showed them my ability to dribble and things I can do like shoot an NBA 3-pointer,'' Fizer said.

Baylor has not ruled out taking Miles with the third pick, but the selection of the 6-foot-9 forward from East St. Louis High in Illinois could mean a trade for the Clippers.

``There are some players with good upside but it will take some time before you get these players where we want them to be,'' Baylor said.

The one spot the Clippers won't be drafting today is head coach.

Baylor wanted a coach before the draft but that won't happen. The Nets hired former Laker Byron Scott on Tuesday, leaving the Clippers and the Indiana Pacer as the only teams without a coach.

It's the second time in three years the Clippers are drafting without a coach. In 1998, the Clippers drafted Olowokandi before hiring Chris Ford. The top candidates are assistant coach Dennis Johnson and Denver Nuggets assistant John Lucas.