Elgin Baylor update: an ugly divorce from Clippers

There are ways you can tell that the Elgin Baylor-Clippers divorce is more than a minor squabble.

How so?

Simply look at the names of the two attorneys NBA legend Baylor has retained in the matter: well-known defense attorney Carl Douglas and employment law specialist Alvin Pittman.

I had a brief chat with Douglas this morning, and he spoke about the way Baylor's exit unfolded.

"Elgin gave 22 years of his life to the Clippers, and it's regrettable they are trying to put him out to pasture in this way," Douglas said in a telephone interview. "To the extent his separation is being characterized as a retirement, we dispute that."

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy, who is taking on Baylor's duties as general manager, had said early Tuesday afternoon that the team told him Baylor was retiring. Later in the day, he wanted to correct that and said he misspoke, that he had been told Baylor was resigning.

In any event, Douglas acknowledged that there "is a dispute over the circumstances of his [Baylor's]separation" with the Clippers. They are trying to get the matter resolved "informally." If that doesn't happen, Douglas said they will "leave our options open."

And everyone knows what that means.

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Elgin Baylor. Credit: Gus Ruelas / Associated Press