ALL THAT'S LEFT IS DELIVERY CONFIRMATION MALONE, NBA'S `MAILMAN,' APPEARS HEADED TO LAKERS.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Karl Malone is prepared to join the Lakers - with or without Gary Payton at his side - and it might be only a matter of days before the 14-time All-Star makes an oral commitment, according to sources close to the situation.

Malone was the first free agent to meet with Lakers officials last week, and it appears he will be the first piece of their rebuilding project to fall into place. He has given Lakers officials every indication he is ready to end his 18-year relationship with the Utah Jazz and accept a major pay cut to play alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.

Nothing can become official until July 16, the first day of the NBA's signing period, and there's nothing to prevent Malone from changing his mind, if sentiment and emotion intervene.

But Lakers officials are quietly confident Malone has already made his decision to come to L.A. and pursue the championship that has long eluded him. One source went so far as to call it ``a done deal.''

The Lakers continue to woo Payton as well - he was expected to meet Monday with general manager Mitch Kupchak - but his decision will not necessarily affect Malone's, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Malone offered to play for the $1.5 million exception, thus enabling the Lakers to use their midlevel exception, about $4.7 million, to sign Payton or another impact player.

But the notion that Malone's decision to play here is contingent on Payton's has been ``way overplayed'' in news reports, said a source close to the situation. If Payton declines the Lakers' offer - and the Lakers fail to entice another impact player - Malone will simply ask for the full $4.7 million exception. He also would be willing to split the exception with another free agent. Scottie Pippen or Tyronn Lue are possibilities.

In any case, it appears Malone, who turns 40 in two weeks, will soon cut ties with Utah, his home since 1985. Although the Jazz can pay Malone considerably more - he earned $19 million last season - team owner Larry Miller has said he won't offer more than $5 million. Malone has all but ruled out returning.

San Antonio and Dallas have also expressed interest in Malone and could make late attempts to pry him from the Lakers. But the Spurs are busy courting Jason Kidd, the Mavericks are banking on Alonzo Mourning, and Malone has yet to meet with officials of either team.

Malone already has the full endorsement of O'Neal, who according to a friend is ``very, very excited'' about the prospect of Malone joining him in the frontcourt. O'Neal has long pined for a rugged power forward to assume some of the rebounding and defensive burden in the paint. A career .517 shooter, Malone would demand the full attention of defenses and prevent them from crowding O'Neal.

There is considerably less confidence among Lakers officials, and others close to the team, about Payton's willingness to accept a pay cut to play here. They consider Payton to be ``a money guy,'' who ultimately would prefer to force Milwaukee into a sign-and-trade deal that would bring him closer to last year's salary of $12.6 million.

Portland and Indiana are among the teams with the assets to trade for Payton. His agent, Aaron Goodwin, recently told ESPN.com that Payton has narrowed his choices to the Lakers, Portland and Miami. He indicated the Lakers are his top choice.

Of course, the Lakers have been down this path before and been burned. Charles Oakley strung them along in 1999 before re-signing for more money with Toronto. A year later, Kendall Gill gave the Lakers an oral commitment, then took a better offer from New Jersey the next day.

Kupchak will not talk specifics about his current discussions, other than to warn that nothing is guaranteed until contracts are signed.

``I feel we have a legitimate chance to acquire a free agent that would have an impact on our roster,'' he said, ``but until we have a signature on a page, which really can't happen until July 16, I'll have very little comfort level.''

Kupchak continues to speak with agents for other major free agents and said he has not ruled out anyone. It is known, however, the Lakers have scheduled no in-person meetings with P.J. Brown, Brad Miller or Juwan Howard, the other top big men on the market.

Howard Beck, [phone]

howard.beck(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Karl Malone might be days away from orally committing to the Lakers.

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press