PRO BASKETBALL DAILY REPORT : CLIPPERS : Vaught Caught in Another Rumor

Another day, another destination for Loy Vaught.

The rumor du jour, this time from Texas, has him going to San Antonio with Gary Grant for Vinny Del Negro and a No. 1 pick. This follows published speculation he was headed to Boston for Kevin Gamble and unsigned first-round pick Jon Barry; that the Clippers were talking trade with Sacramento; that Vaught was the bait to get Derek Harper from Dallas.

One problem: The Clippers aren’t in nearly the hurry to move Vaught as the rest of the country seems to think. They would like to add some depth in the backcourt, but the backup power forward is still regarded as an integral part of the team, even if talks on a Vaught-Felton Spencer trade did get interesting during the summer before Stanley Roberts came from Orlando.

“It seems like since I’ve been in the league there have been a lot of rumors with my name coming up,” Vaught said. “Now it’s just become kind of overkill or redundant. . . . No matter what happens, it’s out of my hands, so I just go out and work hard and let things take care of themself.”

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Bill Walton, one of 10 people nominated Tuesday for the Hall of Fame, would become the first former Clipper enshrined if elected. “I’m ecstatic,” said Walton, now a Clipper television broadcaster. “It’s a tremendous thrill. It’s the highlight for any player or coach, to be nominated for the Hall of Fame.” . . . Grant still had a persistent cough and a sore throat, but returned after missing Tuesday’s game at Sacramento with flu. . . . Ralph Lawler broadcast his 1,000th game with the Clippers.