Don Nelson has settled on his third captain for the 2008-09 season: Al Harrington.

“He’s a veteran, been with me now for a year, and stepped up his leadership in this training camp,” Nelson said.

Harrington, who was told the news Tuesday morning at shootaround, joins Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins as captains for this year’s club. Jackson is the only holdover in the role; last season, he shared the duties with Baron Davis and Matt Barnes, both of whom left this summer via free agency.

“I’m excited about it. Regardless of the status or not, I always felt that I was in a position to talk to the guys on the team,” said Harrington, who has now been a captain in all three of his NBA stops. “We’ll do what captains do, make sure the guys are ready to play, stuff like that. We’ve got to make sure we govern ourselves . . . just lead everybody else to do what they can in the interim, until we get Monta (Ellis) back.”

The move is one more signal of a rapprochement between Nelson and Harrington, a 10-year veteran who was dissatisfied for much of last season with his role and the many criticisms leveled by his coach.

“One thing Al had to understand is that it wasn’t personal. I think Al was taking it personal,” Jackson said. “The last two (training) camps we’ve had, this year and last year, Al came in in the best shape, looking the best. He’s worked the hardest. And I think coach respects that from Al. He wanted Al to drop weight, he dropped the weight.

“I’m glad that they fixed that because in order for us to be successful, Al has to get the ball. Al has to give us 20 points a game. And I think he will do that, and I think coach knows that now.”

Last season, Davis was considered “The Godfather” among the captains, with Jackson and Barnes as the lieutenants. What’s the setup for this year?

“Coach is Vito (Corleone),” Jackson said. “I’m Michael. Al is probably Sonny. And Goose is probably Tom Hagen.”

Said Harrington: “Jack is the Godfather, because of his age.”

– Geoff