Elton Brand
Brand will man the interior for the up-and-coming Clippers.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE Photos
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1 (AP) -- The Los Angeles Clippers exercised their contract option for the 2002-03 season on Elton Brand, the power forward obtained in a draft-day trade from the Chicago Bulls.

The Clippers picked up the fourth-year option under Brand's standard three-year rookie contract with the Bulls.

The Bulls made Brand, a 6-foot-8, 265-pounder from Duke, the No. 1 pick in the 1999 draft.

To get him, the Clippers sent the Bulls high school center Tyson Chandler, drafted second overall this year, and forward Brian Skinner.

Brand's play was one of the few bright spot for the rebuilding Bulls, who were 32-132 in his two seasons. He averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds last season.

In May, the Clippers exercised fourth-year contract options through the 2002-03 season for Lamar Odom and Corey Maggette, who were also drafted in 1999.