LAKERS NOTEBOOK: LAKERS WILL KEEP MEDVEDENKO.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Mitch Kupchak's offseason to-do list was short and simple: re-sign a few key players, then sit back and watch 28 other NBA execs fret about how to catch the Lakers.

By Friday afternoon, just 10 days into the NBA's free-agent signing period, Kupchak's work was practically done. The other 28 teams? Fretting about how to catch the three-time champs.

The Lakers, as expected, re-signed free agents Brian Shaw and Slava Medvedenko on Friday, all but wrapping up Kupchak's summer agenda. The Lakers previously re-signed their top free agent, the much-sought-after Devean George.

With 12 players under contract, and the payroll already deep into luxury-tax territory, the Lakers are pretty much done filling out the roster.

``We are not pursuing a major move,'' Kupchak said. ``Nor do we feel we have a gaping hole on the roster.''

Shaw, the savvy guard who contributed to all three championships, re-signed for one year and the veteran's minimum of $1.03 million. Although he'll be 37 in March, and played sparingly last season, Shaw's presence has never been more important.

With the draft-day trade of Lindsey Hunter, Shaw is the only experienced guard on the Lakers' bench and the only one capable of backing up both Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. Rookie shooting guard Kareem Rush is the only other guard on the Lakers' roster.

Medvedenko, projected as the eventual successor to Robert Horry, signed a two-year deal. The terms of his contract were essentially agreed upon weeks ago, but with Medvedenko at home in the Ukraine, the signing was delayed. He flew to Los Angeles on Thursday in order to take the requisite physical exam and was scheduled to return home immediately.

The Lakers also signed point guard Janerro Pargo, an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas, to a non-guaranteed, minimum-salary deal. Pargo will be invited to training camp, and though his speed could be an asset, he'll be a long shot to make the team.

Kupchak intends to bring at least 18 players to camp, but it's unlikely he'll give anyone else a guaranteed contract, and thus a guaranteed roster spot. However, Shaquille O'Neal's health could change that outlook.

O'Neal continues to seek potential remedies for his arthritic big toe and should come to a conclusion within the next week. He has three options: continued therapy, a minor surgery that would require four to six weeks of recovery, or a more involved operation that would require two to three months.

If O'Neal is shelved for any length of time, and especially if he delays surgery until September, the Lakers will scour the market for a center and absorb the additional luxury-tax hit.

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Lakers guard Brian Shaw signed a one-year deal Friday, joining Slava Medvedenko, who agreed with the Lakers on a contract.

Associated Press