Derek Smith

The 76ers apparently will have to get inventive if they intend to continue their pursuit of Los Angeles Clippers free agent guard Derek Smith. In fact, Clippers coach Don Chaney said yesterday, the Sixers probably are wasting their time. "I've been assured that we'll match any offer sheet Derek might get," Chaney said. "It's my understanding he'll be in a Clippers uniform next season. " Smith, 24, has spent three seasons in the NBA, the first with Golden State, the last two with the Clippers.

INDIANAPOLIS - The feature that pops up at you about Nolan Smith, at least when he's not knocking down shots for Duke on the basketball court, is the striking tattoo that adorns his right biceps. The tattoo, which Smith got when he was 16, is a tribute to his father, Derek Smith, who made a lasting impression on everyone he touched in the NBA, including the 76ers, before he died of respiratory failure in 1996 at age 34. "Forever Watching" reads the imprint, which runs above a picture of his father and the years of his life.

The Kansas City Chiefs bolstered their offense yesterday by signing wide receiver Brett Perriman, and added a familiar face on defense in safety Kevin Ross. The Chiefs also announced the signing of offensive lineman Ralph Tamm. All three free agents signed two-year contracts. Perriman, 32, caught 94 passes for 1,021 yards and five touchdowns last year for Detroit. His 5,272 receiving yards in six seasons are second in Lions history. Ross, 35, rejoins the Chiefs after spending last year with San Diego and the previous two seasons with Atlanta.

Derek Smith has never worn a Boston Celtics' uniform and is beginning to wonder if he ever will. "If I can't play this season, then it's over for me, I know that," said Smith, who spent 1 1/2 seasons with the 76ers, then signed a free agent contract with the Celtics Dec. 22. He was unable to play in all but one of the Sixers' 10 playoff games last season, and has not been able to play since because of a bad knee. He underwent surgery last September to have scar tissue removed, in the hope that would allow him to resume his career.

Ron Anderson looked like he never had been away. The Sixers' sixth man, who missed the previous four games with a sprained knee, made a surprise appearance in last night's 125-103 victory over Orlando. In 15 minutes on the floor, he shot 5-for-9 and scored 10 points. "I was 97 percent tonight. No pain or swelling," Anderson said. "I have been working hard at Pat Croce's for two hours a day. My wind and conditioning feel fine. "I wasn't supposed to be out there that long, but the doctor wanted to see exactly where I stood as far as my leg is concerned.

If the 76ers learned anything from the visit of 6-foot, 7-inch free-agent guard Derek Smith earlier this week, it was that he doesn't want to return to the Los Angeles Clippers and that he wants to play for a winner. Put that together with the fact that Smith would appear to fit nicely into the 76ers' salary structure and a deal might seem imminent. Not so, Sixers general manager John Nash said last night, less than 48 hours after getting the job. "A lot of other things will have to be accomplished.

The 76ers have made a contract offer to Derek Smith, one of their three unrestricted free agents. The offer, tendered by general manager John Nash, is believed to be for one year, although Nash would not confirm the terms. Whatever the offer, the 6-6 Smith, who has a history of injury and illness, is not exactly ecstatic. "We have to recognize their concern over what they've been through in recent years with (injuries to) Jeff Ruland, Andrew Toney and Cliff Robinson," said Ron Grinker, Smith's attorney.

Derek Smith, who has said all along that he wants to re-sign with the 76ers, now has a new incentive. It's called more money. The Sixers yesterday made a fresh offer for Smith, an unrestricted free agent, to attorney Ron Grinker. The new package is believed to be for one year, worth a base salary of $425,000 plus incentives. The Sixers' original offer, made in June, was for one year and $250,000 plus incentives that could have pushed the total as high as $1.2 million.

Coaches tell their defenders to deny the ball, and the idea is to keep it out of the hot shooter's hands. General managers deny, and the idea is to fend off rumor, innuendo, misinterpretation of printed and spoken words. Last night, 76ers general manager John Nash fended off some rumors of a trade involving center Mike Gminski and the Los Angeles Lakers. Gminski can become an unrestricted veteran free agent at the end of the season, at which point several teams are likely to pursue him, but the Sixers are likely to pursue him as hard as anyone.

The 76ers, after researching the situation, have developed some interest in 6-6 free-agent guard Derek Smith. Smith, 27, was waived last week by Sacramento, with a contractual settlement worked out between Kings executive vice president and Ron Grinker, Smith's attorney. Smith, who had a full season and a buy-out option on an additional season remaining at a value of about $2 million, is said to have accepted payment of $2.3 million spread over seven seasons. A team signing him for the remainder of this season would have to pay only about $40,000, the prorated NBA minimum salary.