Planning ahead for the expected departure of starting center Michael Olowokandi, the Clippers used the sixth pick in Thursday's NBA draft to select 7-footer Chris Kaman of Central Michigan.

An early entry candidate, Kaman applied for the draft after his junior season in which he averaged 22.4 points and 12 rebounds per game. He was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-America pick.

"We're very excited about our pick,'' Clippers vice president Elgin Baylor said. "He's a legitimate center. He has excellent low-post moves. He has great footwork. He can face the basket and hit the perimeter shot. He is very skilled.''

Baylor denied that the Clippers drafted Kaman as a replacement for Olowokandi.

"I didn't do it with that thought,'' Baylor said. "That was not our thought going into the draft of trying to replace Michael or anybody.''

In the remote chance that the Clippers do re-sign Olowokandi, who is an unrestricted free agent, their center position instantly has depth and size. Olowokandi and Wang Zhi-Zhi are the only true centers on the team but while the 7-foot Olowokandi is a low-post player, Wang (7-0) is more comfortable on the perimeter.

"We would be in great shape,'' Baylor said. "We'd have two good 7-footers so if one got hurt or one got in foul trouble we could put the other one in.''

According to Clippers director of player personnel Barry Hecker, Kaman was the best available center in this year's draft. That made him a logical choice to plug in at center with Olowokandi all but certain to leave through free agency.