Jim Barrero of the Los Angeles Times reports that Lamar Odom has suffered a setback in recovering from an ankle injury. He sprained his ankle during a rehab workout on Monday. The ankle has been placed in a cast and Odom could miss the beginning of the season.

The injury is expected to sideline Odom eight to 12 weeks. The Clippers open the 2002-03 season at Staples Center on Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Eight weeks would mean an Oct. 21 return, and 12 weeks would be Nov. 18.

The ankle was originally injured on February 14th during a team shoot-around. After dunking the ball, Odom stepped on it, fell, and suffered a high-ankle sprain. "I'm sad," Odom said at the time. "There's nothing I can do about it. It was a freak accident. I just want to do everything I can to get back as soon as possible."

This time, the injury occurred when he landed awkwardly after dunking. Before the most recent setback, Odom had appeared to be on track for a return to training camp.

Chris Tomasson of the Beacon Journal suggests that the Cavaliers make up their minds. One minute they want to add veteran talent to make a playoff run? the next they?re rebuilding with young potential. One minute they want to sign players to long term contract, the next minute they are cutting salary.

Tomasson writes that near the end of last season, it looked as if Cavs GM Jim Paxson finally had settled on a plan. He was ready to add some experienced players to make a playoff run. ``We have a lot of young players, but at some point, you've got to start the curve going the other way,'' Paxson said in March. ``That's something we have to look at this summer.''

Summer's here, and what's happened? The Cavs gave away guard Wesley Person, 31, after he had a career year. They drafted 19-year-old guard Dajuan Wagner. They traded seasoned point guard Andre Miller, 26, to the Clippers for forward Darius Miles, 20, who has a great upside but never has averaged in double figures.

``I think in this business there's always reason to make decisions to change,'' Paxson said of his most recent laboratory concoction. ``The reality was we could have added some veterans and gotten a few more wins. But to get where we want to be -- a playoff team and a contending team that eventually wins a championship -- we've got to have a young group of players grow together at the same timeline. We're starting to put that together.''

Tomasson adds, ?Paxson's latest plan sounds nice. In reality, though, there's no evidence the Cavs are any closer to getting out of their perpetual state of rebuilding. Because he doesn't write the checks, it's certainly not all Paxson's fault. If the Cavs want to win, they're going to have to compensate players well, perhaps overpay them.?

And if Miles has a strong season, he'll be asking next summer for a top-dollar extension. If the Cavs aren't willing to accommodate him, it will be the same story they've just gone through with Miller.?

Jason Quick of the Oregonian reports that the Trail Blazers are looking to add some backcourt depth. Their target: Clippers? free agent point guard Jeff McInnis.

Agent Bill Strickland said the Blazers' talks with McInnis are "progressing" and that his "fate may be known to all" as early as next week. McInnis, who turns 28 in October, made $590,580 last season with the Clippers. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Blazers could offer McInnis all or part of their $4.7 million mid-level exception.

SportsTicker reports that the Clippers have signed 1st round draft pick Chris Wilcox.

After weeks of being rumored as trade bait, Wilcox? signing makes him unable to be traded until December 15th at the earliest. Terms were not disclosed, but under the rookie salary scale, Wilcox was eligible to receive a three-year deal worth no less than $5.11 million and up to 20 percent more. The Clippers have an option for a fourth year.

With the Clippers, he likely play power forward and back up All-Star Elton Brand, who is entering the final year of his contract.

However, Tuesday's trade of forward Darius Miles to the Cleveland Cavaliers that landed point guard Andre Miller should open more minutes in the frontcourt for Wilcox. Corey Maggette is Los Angeles' starting small forward.

The Clippers have yet to sign Melvin Ely, their second first-round pick who is slated to back up at center.