CLIPPERS HIGH ON AZUBUIKE NBA: SWINGMAN SIGNS $9 MILLION OFFER SHEET WARRIORS HAVE A WEEK TO MATCH.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne

Staff Writer

The Clippers signed Golden State Warriors swingman Kelenna Azubuike to a three-year offer sheet on Thursday worth approximately $9 million.

Azubuike averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 21 minutes a game for the Warriors last season, his first full season in the NBA.

The 24-year-old shooting guard is a restricted free agent, meaning Golden State has seven days to match the offer.

"We really like him," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He's a young, athletic, hard-nosed player, and they (Golden State) have a lot of players at that position.

"They've got Corey Maggette, Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis and Mario Belinelli, and Anthony Randolph is more of a (swingman) even. So we took a chance that they won't match the offer since they're so deep at that position."

Dunleavy said current plans call for Azubuike to be the Clippers' backup small forward behind Al Thornton if the Warriors decide not to match.

"Kelenna is a guy who's worked his way up," Dunleavy said of the former University of Kentucky player.

Asked whether he expects the Warriors to match the Clippers' offer, Dunleavy said: "You just never know."

Azubuike could join former teammate Baron Davis with the Clippers. Davis signed a five-year, $65 million contract earlier this month.

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Kelenna Azubuike signed a three-year offer sheet with the Clippers.