Lakers and Clippers Talk Trade for Walton

  February 4, 1984 The Los Angeles Lakers and San Diego Clippers are discussing a trade that would bring BillWalton to Los Angeles, but Clippers' officials claim the Lakers' offer is not enough for the former All-Pro center.



''Basically, what we've said to them is that we don't have a real interest in moving him unless they make us an unbelievable deal,'' San Diego General Manager Paul Phipps said in a story published Saturday in the Los Angeles Times. ''So far, what they've offered us has been all too believable.''

The Lakers are trying to improve their defense and rebounding for the playoffs and believe thatWalton would greatly enhance their title chances by providing 20 minutes of playing time off the bench and subbing for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who will turn 37 in April.

''I've heard some things, but I really don't know what's going on,'' Walton told the Los Angeles Herald Examiner from Detroit. ''It might be a lot of fun, me at the high post, Kareem in the low post.''

Lakers' General Manager Jerry West said the trade talks for the injury-plagued Walton had not reached the serious stage.

''We feel he could help us, but it's premature at this time,'' he said

Phipps said the Lakers are not the only team interested in the 31-year-old Walton. Dallas has offered power forward Jay Vincent and Phipps admitted that he has received phone calls from ''several other'' clubs.

Walton, who broke a bone in his right hand Dec. 4, was reactivated Jan. 18 after missing 19 games. Before the injury, Walton was averaging 13.4 points and 8.3 rebounds. In five games since returning, he has averaged 2.4 points and less than 4 rebounds.