TIME FOR OWNER STERLING TO OPEN UP WALLET.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

OK, Donald, you're up. Time to make some history. Time to shake up the NBA!

Your GM, Elgin Baylor, did his job. Very nicely, too.

Now the $90 million question becomes, will you do yours?

This is where most of the league's players get a good chuckle and other owners release a sigh of relief.

In the 21 years the Clippers have come under the ownership of that great philanthropist of our time, Donald T. Sterling, not once has he dug deep into his pockets.

Just not his style. He made millions in real estate by hanging onto property, a technique he never transferred to his basketball players.

Only now Donald is in some kind of situation. One that will require him going to strange, new places. Ones where you have to dole out cash.

Donald has almost an entire roster of young, talented players - at the doorstep of major contracts. Donald will need to undergo an out-oody experience to keep them together.

Tuesday the Clippers confirmed they had acquired point guard Andre Miller from the Cavaliers for forwards Darius Miles and Harold Jamison. I don't know who Jamison is, either.

This was an absolute no-brainer, although Donald had nixed a draft-day, Miller-Miles deal that would have included swapping first-round picks.

Point guard was the Clippers' lone black hole. They had all these hot, young guns without anyone to direct traffic. Miller led the league in assists last season at 10.9 per game, while averaging 16.5 points and 4.7 rebounds. He's a playmaker first, which is exactly what the Clippers need.

The 6-9 Miles was a fan - and Sterling - favorite. A walking Nike commercial but with an unusual game.

He wasn't a small forward, because he had no shot. He's too small and thin to be a true power forward. He could dunk, rebound and block shots with flair and will no doubt see his numbers increase on the talent-thin Cavs.

Miles' numbers were stagnant in his second season here as a reserve, although he and buddy Quentin Richardson did receive increased mileage out of their double-secret, fists-on- the-forehead salute following a big play. Let's hope Miles takes that with him.

Beyond Miles' current limitations, he was expendable because the Clippers are loaded at forward and because they received a proven quantity for an unknown. You make this deal every day.

Forward Lamar Odom is a far superior overall talent at forward, one of the most promising in the league before going the stoner route. Elton Brand is their best player. Then there are Corey Maggette and first-round picks Chris Wilcox and Melvin Ely.

With Michael Olowokandi at center, Eric Piatkowski and Richardson at shooting guard, and now Miller, Keyon Dooling and Marko Juric at the point, this shapes up as the most talented Clippers team in 10 years, or since they last won a playoff game.

Coach Alvin Gentry has to know, he makes the playoffs this season or seeks new employment.

But this could all be a wondrous one-year wonder.

Donald has repeatedly said, when it was the right player, he would spend. He would sign a player to a long-term, big-salaried contract. Honest.

Time to prove to your fans, organization and players, you mean it. Trouble is, so many ``right'' players are coming around the bend at the same time, he's in a fix.

But after languishing at the aging Sports Arena for 17 years, Donald's bright young stars have been selling out Staples Center. Sponsorship is up. The Clippers, an income-producing team.

Olowokandi is a restricted free agent. You don't max him out, but you make him a serious offer.

Ironically, Miller became available because he's eligible to be extended, wants the max (close to $90 million for six years), and the Cavs won't pay. He's unlikely to get it in his first season on a new team, either, but next year he can become a restricted free agent. Better consider locking him up now.

Yet Donald's most significant move will involve Brand - who like Miller, Odom and Maggette - is eligible to have his contract extended. He wants the max. He should get it. Odom, with his dope and injury problems, settles for less, or waits.

But get Brand done. Send the right message to your team. Scare the other owners, who fondly remember Sports Illustrated dubbing the Clippers the worst franchise in sports history.

Let the world know, you won't blow it this time. Get ready to seriously invest in talent. Time to do what you've never done.

Or this highly talented team will have a one-year run.