LAKERS NOTEBOOK: CAMPBELL STUCK IN TRADE WINDS.

Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer

If you believe the talk, Elden Campbell should be checking real estate listings in Minneapolis. And Boston. And Chicago.

If it's training camp time, it must be time to crank up the annual Elden Campbell Trade Rumor Mill. Pick your favorite: to Minnesota, for Tom Gugliotta; to Boston, for a package including ex-Laker Travis Knight; to Chicago, for Scottie Pippen.

All nice conversation pieces. None of them likely to happen.

But this much is true: The Lakers are shopping the eight-year veteran and will deal him early next week if they get the right package in return.

Campbell made his first appearance at the Lakers' voluntary practice Wednesday, and admitted a trade might be beneficial.

``I would like to stay but you know, I might be better off (elsewhere),'' said Campbell, an Inglewood native and Laker his entire career. ``It depends on what happens. There could be another situation that is better.

``But this is home for me. I like it here, I prefer to be here, but like I said, it's a business, so maybe somewhere else.''

Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game in 1996-97 but dropped to 10.1 last season after being benched in favor of Robert Horry. Campbell has struggled playing alongside Shaquille O'Neal, but when O'Neal has been injured, Campbell has flourished as a center.

At $7 million a season, he's an expensive Shaq insurance policy. But as a starting center elsewhere, averaging 18 points and eight to 10 rebounds, Campbell would be an asset.

``I think Elden's a franchise player if he goes somewhere else,'' said teammate Corie Blount. ``He's proved it.''

Campbell could still be productive here but, Derek Fisher said, ``He would really flourish on another team or in a situation where he gets consistent touches.''

``I think we've all seen flashes of brilliance,'' Fisher said. ``When Shaquille has been out of the lineup, Elden has carried us at times.''

The NBA's new labor agreement could pose obstacles in trying to deal Campbell, as could a clause in his contract that boosts his salary 15 percent if traded.

No deals can be consummated until the labor agreement is finalized, possibly Sunday. In the meantime, Campbell will try to tune out the chatter.

``It happens every year. It's just another year, baby,'' he said. ``I'm not really thinking about it. If it happens, it happens. I'm ready for whatever.''

Reunited: The NBA has lifted the edict that prevented team officials from attending this week's voluntary workouts. Coaches Del Harris, Bill Bertka and Kurt Rambis and possibly executive Jerry West and general manager Mitch Kupchak will observe today's practice at L.A. Southwest College.

Nine of the Lakers' 12 players practiced Wednesday. Rookies Ruben Patterson and Sam Jacobson are en route to the league's rookie orientation program and will not be here until training camp begins. Robert Horry is with his ill daughter and pregnant wife in Houston.

``We had a good turnout today,'' Fisher said. ``What feels good to me is I'm feeling everybody's urgency. . . . We're really playing hard and talking to each other and trying to work on some different things. And I like everybody's togetherness.''

Dribbles: The Lakers have already suffered a season-ending injury. Rudy Garciduenas, the team's equipment manager for 13 years, is sidelined because of two slipped discs in his back. He'll be replaced on an interim basis by Michael McIntyre. . . . The Lakers have hired Tom Savage as their new assistant public relations director. Savage was the PR director for the WNBA's Houston Comets and formerly worked in the CBA. He replaces Raymond Ridder, who left to become the PR director for Golden State.

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Photo: ELDEN CAMPBELL

The Lakers big man admitted he may be better off playing with another team.