LAKERS NOTEBOOK: HARPER SIGNS ON; ROSTER IS CROWDED.

Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer

In a move anticipated for months, Ron Harper became a Laker on Wednesday. His arrival will have consequences up and down the Lakers roster.

The former Chicago Bull and favorite of Lakers coach Phil Jackson signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract and is expected to join the team today.

Harper, a 6-6 guard, will be the 19th player in uniform, and the 12th with a guaranteed contract, implying that the roster could be set (NBA teams are limited to a dozen players, with up to three more on the injured list).

But the Lakers' situation is more complicated than that, and guaranteed deals might not translate into guaranteed jobs.

Among the seven players with nonguaranteed contracts are Benoit Benjamin and John Salley. At least one of them is expected to make the team because of the Lakers' need for big men. Someone else will be pushed aside.

``But nothing appears as it seems, you know,'' Jackson said earlier this week. ``And that's the way about life, is that everything just kind of changes. This is going to change. Our roster is going to take some changes during the course of the year. And we're going to explore with it, see how we are.''

Harper's arrival probably forces second-round pick John Celestand, a guard, onto the injured list or waiver wire. Even second-year guards Tyronn Lue and Sam Jacobson, who each have guaranteed deals for two more seasons, don't appear secure.

Meanwhile, some of the long shots are likely to be cut soon. Jackson almost made cuts Monday, the last day of training camp, but decided to take everyone on the Lakers' two-day exhibition road trip.

Jackson wants his roster finalized before the last exhibition game, Oct. 28.

The 35-year-old Harper played the last five seasons for the Bulls, four of them under Jackson, winning three NBA championships. A strong defender, he can play either guard position and is proficient in Jackson's triangle offense. He averaged 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season.

The 13-year veteran was drafted by Cleveland and played four-plus seasons for the Clippers.

``I'm happy to be here and happy to be a part of this great team that is hopefully going to be even greater very soon,'' Harper said.

Dribbles: The Lakers hope to reschedule Tuesday's canceled exhibition game and have not ruled out returning to Little Rock, Ark., to do it. The game was called off because of structural problems at the new Alltel Arena. If the arena remains unavailable, the Lakers will try to play the game elsewhere in order to maintain a full slate of exhibition games. . . . Expect the Lakers to wear a patch or some other symbol to honor the late Wilt Chamberlain this season. The team must obtain league approval before adding anything to its uniforms. A ceremony of some kind is also possible when the Lakers host a two-day exhibition tournament at the Forum on Oct. 21-22.