Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups are unable to scrimmage as they recover from injuries, but they still ran through a few offensive sets with the first team of the Los Angeles Clippers.

"It was real nice to see Chauncey out there," Paul said. "When Coach called the first team out so we could go over things, me and Chauncey went out there. And then when they started scrimmaging, me and Chauncey came to the side and shot some."

Paul is expected to be fully available to return sooner than Billups.

"Me and Chauncey had a chance to watch a lot. I found myself watching over there on the sideline and I was actually excited," Paul said. "I hate to watch basketball. Obviously I love to play. But it was kind of cool because I'm sitting there and I'm watching Jamal Crawford, Lamar Odom — all these great players out there on the court."

The Los Angeles Clippers hired shooting coach Bob Thate over the offseason.

Thate is working with all of the players, but Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in particular.

"It's not one of those things where I'm going to be a great shooter overnight," said Griffin, who shot 52.1% from the free-throw line last season. "But I think I have the tools and I've got to keep working and keep practicing the right way."

Jordan, who shot 52.5% from the free-throw line last season, said that "it has improved" after working with Thate.

"I'm working with him every day," Jordan said. "I'm just going to continue to get better at it."

Blake Griffin said he's 100% healthy after surgery in July for torn cartilage in his left knee and that he has no restrictions.

Griffin injured his knee during training for the Olympics.

Griffin missed the entire 09-10 season due to injury.

Vinny Del Negro has assumed a bigger role within the Los Angeles Clippers' organization, but he is also in the final season of his contract.

 "I think there's always pressure, but I think that's a position that you want to be in," said Del Negro.

"My goal coming here was to help change the environment, change the culture and change the direction of the organization."

The Clippers went 40-26 in the regular season and Del Negro took them to the second round of the playoffs.

Del Negro said there has been "a little bit" of discussion about his contract extension, but there is "no sense of urgency for either side" to get a deal done right away.

"Of course, I wish it was under maybe a different situation," Del Negro said. "But I was on a one-year deal last year and I'm still here and enjoying myself and believe in what we're doing. I think all those things work themselves out over time."

Gerald Madkins has accepted a position in the front office of the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the team's director of basketball operations.

Madkins spent the past two seasons with the New Orleans Hornets as VP of Player Personnel.

Madkins was in charge of the college scouting department for the Hornets, but he was based in Los Angeles.

Madkins joins Brian Hagan as another member of the Hornets' front office who has recently left the team. Hagan joined the Bulls' front office as assistant general manager.

Chris Paul is a few weeks away from returning from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

“The thumbs doing better, a lot better,” he said. “I’m still a few weeks out from being ready to play and stuff like that, but I go to rehab every day trying to get back because I’m tired of watching these guys play.”

Paul is excited to see offseason additions Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and Grant Hill incorporated into the team.

“I’m excited about this season,” Paul said. “Our locker room is filled with a lot of veterans and guys that know what it takes to win.

“It starts with training camp. Fortunately, we have a great group of guys and fortunately they got here early, extra early, and guys have been in for workouts and getting to know each other as well as you can.”

The Los Angeles Clippers have exercised the club’s fourth-year contract option Eric Bledsoe.

Bledsoe, who is entering his third NBA season, has averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 19.0 minutes over his career. In 40 regular season games played last year, Bledsoe tallied 3.3 points in 11.6 minutes per game.

Chris Paul said in an interview that he preferred being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers over the Lakers.

"They had the better pieces," Paul said. "And winning with the Clippers would be legendary."

Paul also enjoys living in Bel Air.

The Anschutz Co., run by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, said it is seeking a buyer for its AEG subsidiary, which owns Staples Center, the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Galaxy pro soccer team.

“Given the success of the management team and employees in establishing AEG as one of the premier real estate development, live sports and entertainment platforms in the world, as well as the value AEG has created with the strategic assets that comprise its platform, this is an appropriate time to transition AEG to a new qualified owner," said Cannon Y. Harvey, Anschutz Co. president.

AEG has been pursuing plans to build an NFL-ready stadium next to Staples Center.

Matt Barnes has agreed upon a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Barnes spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Barnes had been recruited to the Clippers by Chauncey Billups, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.

Barnes also received interest from the Miami Heat