CLIPPERS NOTEBOOK: KOROLEV READY FOR LARGER ROLE.

Byline: JOE STEVENS Staff Writer

LAS VEGAS -- For most of this past season, the only thing that Clippers fans saw of Yaroslav Korolev was a skinny teenager sitting on the bench.

Korolev's year, however, was much busier than his scarce playing time might suggest. He worked out tirelessly with the squad, gained about 20 pounds and now is looking for a bigger role with the Clippers in their upcoming season.

``We're always working out, behind the court, in the gym or anywhere else,'' Korolev said after a practice at the Thomas and Mack Center on Monday. ``I don't really need everybody to see that I'm working out. I just want them to see what I'm doing on the court. If you're playing good on the court, that means you're developing. It doesn't mean how you get there. You got there.''

The Moscow native adjusted to living in the United States this past year and turned 19 in May.

He was drafted 12th overall in the 2005 NBA draft, becoming the highest Russian ever selected.

Because of his age and relative inexperience, Korolev is considered a project, and Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy says the teenager is right on track. The coach has been pleased with his progress -- so much so that he once said he wished he had Korolev available for a few situations in the playoffs.

Korolev was on the team's inactive list for the playoffs, and that appeared to make complete sense, considering that he played in just 24 games and averaged 5.3 minutes. But the coach said there were times when the rookie could have feasibly seen playoff playing time.

``I thought about that because, defensively, he's long and he understands what we're trying to do,'' Dunleavy said. ``Against smaller teams, we could be in a more switching mode and do different things. It was a stretch, and I didn't do it . But I was serious about it when I said it.''

Dunleavy's plan for Korolev is to have the small forward play a little more this season, then see him in the team's rotation the following season.

``I will be ready to play some minutes,'' Korolev said. ``That's all. I will take everything the coach is willing to give me, every chance, and try to prove myself.''

Hamstring still hurting Davis: The Clippers will play their third game in the Vegas Summer League today, but rookie Paul Davis, the 34th overall selection out of Michigan State, has yet to play and is considered doubtful with a strained left hamstring.

After today, the Clippers will have two more VSL games. It is not known whether Davis will play in those games, but the team is more concerned with having him fully healthy for training camp in October as opposed to having him further aggravate the injury.

No snags expected: The first day that NBA teams can officially sign free agents is Wednesday, and no snags are expected for the Clippers two moves -- signing Sam Cassell to a two-year, $13 million deal and Tim Thomas to a four-year, $24 million contract.

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The Clippers' Yaroslav Korolev has gained 20 pounds of muscle and hopes to have a larger role with the team.

Barry Gossage/Getty Images