FOR RAMBIS, JUST ANOTHER TOUGH SPOT.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

For a guy who presided over one of the NBA's premier teams for three months, Kurt Rambis has had a decidedly unkind year.

The unexpected promotion to head coach in February was quickly followed by a major trade, too many Dennis Rodman flare-ups to count, locker-room feuds and an unhappy Glen Rice - all in a truncated season allowing no time to pull together a young, disjointed team.

And when it was all over, Rambis took more than his share of blame for the Lakers' collapse against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs. And now, limbo.

When the Lakers decided to pursue Phil Jackson, Rambis fell from front-runner candidate to the edge of unemployment. Now he can only wait as Jackson decides whether to retain Rambis as an assistant, the role he filled for four-plus seasons.

``I hope to get the opportunity to talk to Phil about the possibility of joining his coaching staff. That has not been done yet,'' Rambis said from his Manhattan Beach home.

Jackson deferred answers about his staff Wednesday, but it seems certain he will hire Tex Winter, architect of the triangle offense and his longtime assistant in Chicago. Other strong candidates include Bulls assistant Jimmy Rodgers and former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jim Cleamons.

Larry Drew, a Lakers assistant for seven years, also wants to stay, while longtime assistant Bill Bertka might accept a front-office position with the team. Assistant Dave Wohl is probably headed to the Orlando Magic to join the staff of Doc Rivers.

Jackson will meet today with Lakers executive Jerry West and general manager Mitch Kupchak to discuss several matters, including the coaching staff.

Drew attended Jackson's noon press conference at the Beverly Hilton and said there is ``no doubt'' he wants to stay.

``I've already expressed to Jerry (West) that I would be very interested in remaining here as an assistant,'' he said.

Rambis, who passed up potential opportunities to coach the Sacramento Kings and the Clippers, has no regrets, despite his current awkward position. He's been guaranteed a job within the organization and will have offers elsewhere, but his clear preference is to coach under Jackson.

``Obviously I was disappointed'' not to be rehired, he said, but the 41-year-old Rambis philosophically calls this season, his first as a head coach, a learning experience.

``Whether I'm an assistant coach or head coach, I don't think that learning process ever stops,'' he said, ``and to have the possible opportunity to work with Phil is, I think, a golden opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches that's ever been involved in the game.''

Jackson's contract is for five years. If Rambis, with his deep Lakers ties and high upside as a coach, sticks around long enough, he might yet get his dream job. But his mind is on the present.

``I think it would be very presumptuous to say it's my goal to stay with this organization the rest of my life,'' he said. ``I think every opportunity that is presented to me, I will weigh it against what I have.''