According to the L.A. Times, after returning form a foot injury earlier this month Clippers forward Corey Maggette says it is time he not only gets more minutes, but he wants his starting role back too.

"This is on the coach now," Maggette said Friday. "He needs to throw me in there. All this little minutes here and there ? it's just crazy."

Maggette missed 39 games due to the injury, and has been coming off the bench while Quinton Ross has been starting.

"It needs to change," he said. "I'm 100%. I'm ready to play. Simple as that."

Could Elgin Baylor become the NBA's executive of the year?

"I've had some people mention it to me, the award, but I've never really thought about it," the longtime Clipper general manager said. "We need to wait and see what happens before you start getting into all of that. Let's get into the playoffs and do something in the playoffs. That's what I'm thinking about."

In preparation for his post-playing career, point guard Sam Cassell said he hoped to coach the team's entry in summer-league play. The 13-year veteran wants to lead the Clippers when he retires, and he's eager to practice.

"I want to get out there and show what I can do," said Cassell, who had 14 points in Wednesday's 126-95 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

"I'd like to do it this summer. I just want to get ready to take that next step. This is where I want to be, so why not just get it started now?"

Sonics coach Bob Hill said the Suns were also interested in acquiring Chris Wilcox before the trade deadline. "If they got Wilcox and (Amare) Stoudemire, they'd be fighting over the ball above the rim, who's gonna dunk," he said.

Chris Kaman scored 24 points and set career highs with 23 rebounds and four steals as Los Angeles beat Minnesota 95-87 for its fourth straight win.

The win was also Mike Dunleavy's 500th career victory.

Vladimir Radmanovic has found a home at the Staples Center with the Clippers and they expect him to produce well in their playoff run.

"That's why I'm here," Radmanovic said. "All the guys have been good to me, so it's been a quick transition, and I just appreciate everything they've done for me ? because it's all about confidence in this league.

"I kind of struggled with my old team before I came here, and that was one of the main reasons I decided to change my environment and try to do something different with my career. It's getting better."

Radmanovic said he felt underappreciated in four-plus seasons in Seattle, among the reasons he rejected a reported six-year, $42-million offer before the season and signed a one-year contract.

For the first time in 39 games, Corey Maggette was on the floor, when he returned from a foot injury in the Los Angeles Clippers' game at Utah.

Maggette had not played since Dec. 5 against Miami, when he separated a ligament in his left foot.

Maggette, who has averaged 21.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 13 games this season, was cleared to resume practice Tuesday. He entered the game Friday late in the first period and closed the quarter with a reverse layup.

The Clippers held New Orleans to an NBA record-low 16 points in the second half en route to an 89-67 victory Wednesday night.

The Hornets made only one field goal over the final 20 minutes and were outscored 25-0 during one stretch.

The previous NBA record of 19 points in a half was shared by the Clippers (against the Lakers), the Miami Heat (against Orlando) -- and the Hornets, against the New York Knicks on November 11, 2000.

"Having an all-time record under our belts says a lot about this team," Brand said. "We pride ourselves on defense and boxing out. That's what Coach harps on. We watch film on it, trying to improve on it every game."