Wilcox Wants to Be Where He’s Needed

PHOENIX —  Though he didn’t come right out and say it, Chris Wilcox made it clear Wednesday that if the Clippers don’t plan to give him more playing time he’d rather they send him elsewhere before today’s noon trade deadline.

“Like I told them, I just want to get out on the court,” the third-year forward said. “I want to play.

“So whatever they can do to make that happen, make that happen. If they don’t want me here, they’ll do what they’ve got to do to get rid of me.”

The eighth pick in the 2002 draft, Wilcox opened the season as a starter and averaged 15.5 points and 7.6 rebounds over the first 11 games in helping the Clippers to the winningest November in club history. But his playing time dwindled after Chris Kaman returned from an ankle injury in late November, his averages dipping to 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 21.8 minutes.

Before Tuesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, he had not left the bench in seven of 11 games, playing a total of 39 minutes since being reactivated last month after sitting out 13 games because of a leg injury.

But the Clippers have given no indication they plan to trade him.

“If I’m playing, it don’t matter where I’m at,” said Wilcox, who will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2006. “I just want to play. That’s all I’m looking for right now, some minutes, wherever I can find some minutes.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KTLK (1150).

Records -- Clippers 23-31, Timberwolves 27-27.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 0-2.

Update -- After nine consecutive road games, the Clippers return for their first game at Staples Center since Jan. 31. Before the Timberwolves’ recent struggles cost Flip Saunders his job -- they’d lost eight of nine until winning their last two games before the All-Star break -- Kevin Garnett & Co. defeated the Clippers twice in 14 days in December, 107-100 in overtime at Staples Center and 113-86 at Minneapolis, Garnett averaging 25 points and 12.5 rebounds.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.