A RUSH TO FOUR-PEAT LAKERS MAKE TRADE FOR MISSOURI GUARD.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - With one eye on a four-peat and another on the future, the Lakers consummated a four-player trade with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, acquiring the draft rights to Missouri standout Kareem Rush.

The Lakers also received former UCLA star Tracy Murray in the deal that sent backup guard Lindsey Hunter and draft pick Chris Jefferies to Toronto.

But the key to the deal was Rush, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound guard who averaged 18.9 points in three years of Big-12 competition.

Winning championships and drafting low each June has made it difficult for the Lakers to obtain and groom young talent, and they are desperate for speed and athleticism in the backcourt. They believe Rush, brother of troubled former UCLA player JaRon Rush, could eventually solve all of those issues.

``He's an incredible talent,'' said general manager Mitck Kupchak. ``He's got NBA size, athletic ability, skill level and his accomplishments to date, he proved he can play. There's no reason why he can't play in this league and start in this league for many years. And we could have a 10 to 12-year player.''

Kupchak lauded Rush's scoring ability and knack for breaking down defenses and getting to the rim.

``And we know when he puts his mind to it, he can defend as well,'' he said.

Although Rush is more polished than most rookies the Lakers have picked up in recent years, he'll be hard-pressed to make the rotation. Coach Phil Jackson is notoriously hard on rookies and prefers that they learn from the bench.

But Rush could one day team with Kobe Bryant to form a potent backcourt tandem.

``He looks like he'll fit in a system,'' Jackson said. ``If he comes in and learns how to play basketball, there's no reason he can't find some minutes on the court with this team.''

Toronto needed help at point guard, and the principles of the deal were in place Tuesday. In one version of the deal, the Lakers also would have picked up center Eric Montross, but they were unable to make it work.

The Lakers identified a number of players they would want with Raptors' selection at No. 20, and Rush was high on the list. With their own pick at No. 27, the Lakers chose Fresno State forward Jefferies at Toronto's request.

``We were surprised Kareem was there at 20,'' Kupchak said. ``We thought he'd go higher.''

Under the NBA rookie scale, Rush is guaranteed a three-year, $2.74 million contract. The team will hold an option for a fourth year at $1.51 million and the right of first refusal for a fifth year.

No one was more thrilled with the trade than Murray, an L.A. native who has bounced through five NBA teams in 10 years.

``It's a dream come true,'' said Murray, speaking by phone from his L.A. home. ``My dream was not accomplished until just now. Now from here, let's go get (championship) number four. And that will definitely be gratifying.''

Word of the trade first circulated Tuesday, and Murray, who turns 31 next month, was floored.

``I couldn't sleep last night,'' he said.

A career .391 shooter from 3-point range, Murray will give the Lakers another perimeter threat off the bench and an insurance policy behind Rick Fox.

The Lakers are now covered if Devean George leaves as a free agent. But the trade could actually boost their efforts to re-sign him. Murray has just one year left on his contract, for $3.74 million. Hunter was signed for two more years, and unloading him will free up $4.3 million in 2003-04.

``If anything, this enables us to more vigorously pursue Devean,'' Kupchak said.

Murray had hip surgery April 3, but said his recovery is ahead of schedule and he expects to be at full strength by the end of August.

Once Rush signs, the Lakers will have nine players under contract. They also expect to re-sign Brian Shaw and Slava Medvedenko, and hope to bring back George, so it would appear they will not be active players in the free agent market this summer.

CAPTION} Photo:

(1 -- color) The Lakers traded backup guard Lindsey Hunter and the draft rights to Fresno State's Chris Jefferies, whom they selected with the No. 27 pick Wednesday, to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for ex-UCLA star Tracy Murray and the draft rights to Missouri guard Kareem Rush (pictured right).

Suzanne Plunkett/Associated Press

(2 -- color) LAKERS GET: MURRAY

(3 -- color) RAPTORS GET: JEFFERIES

(4 -- color) RAPTORS GET: HUNTER

Box:

2002 DRAFT SELECTIONS

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, box