In Elgin Baylor's lawsuit against the Clippers, he charges that owner Donald Sterling had "a pervasive and on-going racist attitude as expressed to then NBA player Danny Manning during contract negotiations."

The lawsuit, which was obtained by The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday night, alleges that Sterling once said of Manning: "I'm offering a lot of money for a poor Black kid." The civil lawsuit also states that NBA Commissioner David Stern was present when Sterling made the remark about Manning.

Several pages later, Baylor claims that Sterling once told him that "he [Sterling] wanted the Clippers team to be composed of 'Poor Black boys from the South' and a White head coach."

The following is a statement released to RealGM from the Los Angeles Clippers' General Counsel Robert H. Platt, a partner at the law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips:

"Not having seen the complaint, I cannot comment on Elgin's specific allegations. However, I can categorically state that the Clippers always treated Elgin fairly throughout his long tenure with the team.  Prior to his decision to leave the team last October, Elgin never raised any claims of unfair treatment."  

"It's hard to believe that he would now make these ridiculous claims after the organization stood by him during 22 years and only three playoff appearances. It would be hard to find any sports team that has demonstrated greater loyalty to its General Manager."

"The team intends to vigorously defend itself against these false allegations and will prevail when all the facts are heard."