LAKERS FIRST LOOK: NOW THAT IT'S OVER, THE SCRAMBLING BEGINS.Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer When last we left the Lakers, they were wounded and red-faced, swept out of the Western Conference finals, so distraught they shipped out their All-Star point guard in exchange for a rookie and a question mark. That was six months and 196 shopping days ago, a week before the NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= lockout lockout, intentional closing up of a company, factory, or shop by an employer to prevent employees from working during a strike or labor dispute. The term lockout slammed shut the door on all action on and off the court. When that door reopens, the Lakers will resume the search for a power forward, perhaps another point guard, then make a run for the championship in what should be the start of the NBA's post-Jordan era. But first, the nagging little details. Like where to hold training camp, and when. There are media guides and pocket schedules to publish. Heck, there isn't even a schedule to put on paper yet. Free-agent signings and trades might begin as soon as Monday, training camps might open Jan. 18, and the season might start Feb. 1 or 2. But dates aren't firm, NBA teams are still under gag order A court order to gag or bind an unruly defendant or remove her or him from the courtroom in order to prevent further interruptions in a trial. In a trial with a great deal of notoriety, a court order directed to attorneys and witnesses not to discuss the case with the media—such , the ink isn't dry yet on the new labor agreement and there is much, much work to be done. ``We're obviously in scramble mode today,'' said Lakers spokesman John Black, and he could have been speaking for every team in the league. The Lakers hope to hold training camp later this month in Palm Desert, but may have to settle for Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. or San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. or even Inglewood. By this time next week, executives Jerry West
Nine players are under contract, and there are three rookies to be signed, so there is little room for free-agent pickups. But the Lakers have the advantage of continuity when play resumes. On the opposite end are teams like the Phoenix Suns, who have only three players under contract. The Lakers' core remains in Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). , Eddie Jones, Robert Horry and Kobe Bryant. Point guard Derek Fisher replaces All-Star Nick Van Exel Nickey (Nick) Maxwell Van Exel (born November 27 1971 in Kenosha, Wisconsin) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. Van Exel, a 6'1" left-handed point guard, was most well known for his flashy style of play and his ability to hit critical shots during , who on draft day was traded to Denver for rookie point guard Tyronn Lue and second-year forward Tony Battie. The reshuffling that began with the Van Exel trade will continue. Almost certain is a trade of center/forward Elden Campbell in exchange for a power forward and/or a veteran point guard. Three Lakers from last season are free agents - Jon Barry, Mario Bennett and Rick Fox. Only Fox is a possibility to return, but it's a longshot. Fox wants a long-term deal in the $5 million-a-year range, and the Lakers remain well over the new, $30 million salary cap. Their best hope is to clear cap space via trades, but more than likely Fox will leave, probably signing with Atlanta. Three rookies will be brought to training camp, but only Lue is a lock to make the team. The others are shooting guard Sam Jacobson and small forward Ruben Patterson. Patterson, who played a partial season in Greece before injuring his left elbow, is back in the States and reportedly healthy. He's a possible replacement for Fox. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Lakers Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Elden Campbell and Robert Horry will get to play this season. David Sprague/Daily News |
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