LAKERS NOTEBOOK: JACKSON CALLS IN HIS TROOPS : LAKERS HIRE CLEAMONS; RODGERS DECLINES OFFER.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

Phil Jackson's drive to reassemble his inner circle from Chicago has received two boosts and one setback.

The Lakers new coach named former Bulls assistant Jim Cleamons to his staff Wednesday. The Lakers also hired Bulls trainer Chip Schaefer at Jackson's request.

But another former Bulls assistant, Jimmy Rodgers, has decided not to rejoin Jackson, leaving two vacancies on his staff.

Cleamons has not signed a contract but agreed to a deal in principle Monday and was in Long Beach by Wednesday morning to help coach the Lakers' summer-league team.

``I'm happy Jim Cleamons is here. We've been together for six years in the Bulls' organization,'' Jackson said.

Cleamons' familiarity with Jackson's system, including the triangle offense, will be a notable asset. But Jackson said he brings much more to the Lakers.

``Jim and I have a really good working relationship. He's a quality guy that really knows this game and really cares about this game, the people that are in it, and he's a very good teacher,'' Jackson said. ``He's a a really good practice coach, a guy you can really trust young players to.''

Cleamons is heading up the coaching staff of the summer-league team, assisted by holdover Lakers assistants Bill Bertka and Larry Drew. Jackson hopes to name his other two assistants next week, and longtime Bulls coach and triangle guru Tex Winter remains a possibility.

Rodgers, a member of Jackson's Bulls staff for four years, declined an offer to join the Lakers.

``He just made a decision that for his own personal reasons; at this time he couldn't see himself taking this job,'' said Jackson, who continues to search for other ex-Bulls to fill out his staff. ``What I need as staff is people who are totally familiar with what I do.''

Cleamons said the choice to rejoin Jackson didn't take much debate.

``This is a wonderful opportunity for me to work with Phil again,'' he said. ``It was almost, I don't want to say `a no-brainer,' but the fact remains it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.''

Schaefer, the Bulls trainer for the last nine years, will work in tandem with longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti and strength coach Jim Cotta. Schaefer was the Lakers strength coach in 1986-87 and also worked as head trainer at Loyola Marymount for four years.

Under the Pyramid: The Lakers' summer pro-league team opens play Friday night at the Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.

Playing for the Lakers will be this year's draftees, Devean George and John Celestand, last year's rookies, Tyronn Lue, Sam Jacobson and free-agent Ruben Patterson, and three-year veteran Travis Knight.

They are joined by free agents Taymon Domzalski (Duke, '99), Ruben Garces (Providence, '97), Andy Panko (Lebanon Valley, Pa., '99), Seth Sundberg (Hawaii, '97), M.C. Mazique (Alabama '99) and Donald Williams (North Carolina '95).

Back for more: Lakers' broadcasting legend Chick Hearn signed a new two-year contract Wednesday. The 82-year-old Hearn has called 3,114 consecutive Lakers games, dating back to 1965.

Denials: Both the Lakers and a spokesman for Charles Oakley are refuting a report that the Toronto Raptors forward has agreed to a deal with L.A. Oakley, a free agent, continues to mull all of his options, said financial adviser Billy Diamond. He called the ESPN report ``not only premature, but ridiculous.''