DEHERE'S AGENT PUSHES FOR CLIPPERS' 'INTENTIONS'\Elmore wants guard to get more minutes.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

For their first 33 games, the Clippers have relied on a three-man rotation at the point guard position, interchanging Pooh Richardson, Terry Dehere and Brent Barry to run the team.

The luxury of such depth could possibly be perceived by some as a glut, and Dehere's agent, former NBA basketball player Len Elmore, has sent the Clippers a fax detailing his client's contributions and asking for a meeting to discuss the point guard's role with the team.

Elmore said Dehere is happy with the Clippers but added that Dehere's "sporadic" playing time is an issue he would like to address with the team.

"At some point in time, something's got to give," Elmore said. "If he's going to be the odd man out, then let me help you out. I can think of several teams on the East Coast that could use a point guard.

"I was trying to lend a hand (with the fax). I don't have a right to tell anyone how to run their team. I want to know what their intentions are with Terry. He's not the type of kid you need to waste on the bench."

Clippers coach Bill Fitch said he placed Elmore's information in "file 13."

Elmore said he has not heard from the Clippers; Fitch said Elmore's letter never asked for a meeting.

"I've got nothing I can learn from agents," Fitch said. "Terry's a backup (point guard). He's a backup (shooting guard). He's a young player. He's learning."

Dehere is averaging 10.5 points, 5.7 assists and 2.4 turnovers in 24.5 minutes. Richardson is averaging 11.5 points, 6.1 assists and 2.1 turnovers in 29.8 minutes; Barry is averaging 8.2 points, 2.8 assists and 1.3 turnovers in 19.3 minutes.

Each player has started this season because Richardson missed the first 17 games with a stress fracture in his left foot. Since regaining his health, Richardson has started the past 12 games.

CLIPPERS (13-20) AT PHOENIX (13-16)

Tip-off: 6 p.m., America West Arena.

On the air: No TV; KMPC-AM (710)

Clippers update: Brent Barry participated in practice Monday after missing the Vancouver game with the flu. Antonio Harvey (strained right calf) is also considered probable. Loy Vaught (back spasms) is OK and will play. It may be a coincidence, but the Clippers are 6-1 when Malik Sealy scores 19 or more points. The Clippers are 2-0 against Phoenix and have a better mark only against Vancouver (3-0). Rodney Rogers had 16 points against the Grizzlies in his second game back from a sprained ankle.

Suns update: The Suns are running low on players. Charles Barkley will miss the game after undergoing surgery for an infected toe. Barkley's left big toe nail was removed. He joins Kevin Johnson (strained left quadriceps and groin), John Williams (irritated nerve, left leg) and Stefano Rusconi (heel bruise) on the sidelines. They are joined by Danny Manning, who will be fortunate to return by Feb. 6, the one-year anniversary of his injury.

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Box CLIPPERS (13-20) AT PHOENIX (13-16) (see text)