Through his agent, Charles Tucker, Sam Cassell last week expressed "overall concerns" about joining the team, which sent guards Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 12-year veteran and a lottery-protected first-round pick in next year's draft.

His outlook, however, has apparently improved, and Cassell plans to travel to Los Angeles today to undergo a physical.

"Yeah, he's going to go," Tucker said. "We really have no major problems with [the Clippers], we just want to know what the trade is about, because he's no average player. Like I've said, 'You want a player like Sam to be happy.' "

There had been media speculation that Cassell, who turns 36 on Nov. 18, might not report to the Clippers, because of the team's unwillingness to offer him a contract extension.

He has a $6.1-million salary in the final year of his deal.

Although General Manager Elgin Baylor seemingly shut the door on extension talks before the season, Tucker still hoped to explore the issue this week.

"If the situation is good for us, fine," Tucker said.

"But if the situation is not good for us, then I don't want Sam to be there. It needs to be a good marriage for the Clippers and us."