LAKERS NOTEBOOK: FATES UNKNOWN FOR ROLE PLAYERS.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

The line forms behind Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Phil Jackson, in no particular order. If Jerry Buss' bank account and abacus survive, Rick Fox and Derek Fisher will inch forward, take a seat and make their cases, too.

There are critical decisions for the Lakers to make this offseason - regardless of how the next two months play out - and it figures to be an expensive summer.

Jackson, whose five-year, $30 million contract expires in 2004, might seek an extension. Bryant has yet to act on the team's offer of a three-year, $54.8 million extension. O'Neal is eligible for a three-year, $121.5 million extension.

But the Lakers' core supporting cast is also due its reward for three championships, and both Fisher and Fox plan to ask for extensions this summer.

Fox is signed through 2005, when he'll make $4.9 million. Fisher is signed through 2006 and makes $3 million in the final year of his deal.

Under NBA rules, each is eligible for a three-year extension, with annual raises of up to 12.5 percent.

They are realistic about the prospects and know O'Neal, Bryant and Jackson come first.

``I think the only reason to keep me around is if you keep those three around,'' Fox said. ``I'm a piece to the machine that runs well, but without those three in place, it doesn't make any sense.''

Fisher said he's given only ``vague'' consideration to the extension but plans to ask for it.

``It's been such an up-and-down year,'' he said with a chuckle, ``that you have to try to focus on the day more so than the summer or next year.''

Fisher could also choose to wait a year - he has an option to terminate his deal and become a free agent next summer.

The Lakers also must decide whether to pick up Robert Horry's $5.3 million option for 2003-04 or let him walk away.

That means management soon must decide the future of the team's three most critical role players.

``I'm sure they feel, not necessarily the same way (as they do about O'Neal and Bryant), but feel confident enough to know that we have a lot to do with what's happened, too,'' Fisher said.

``I feel what I do for this team, I can do for another five,'' Fox said. ``But that's if we're all together.''

Of course, if the Lakers suffer a meltdown in the playoffs, Buss' vault might be closed. And management could decide to break up the core group.

``I think it's all predicated on how we end,'' Fox said. ``It is all predicated on how we end.''

--Also: The Lakers took Tuesday off. They will practice this morning in El Segundo before boarding an afternoon flight to Dallas.