LAKERS NOTEBOOK: WALKER EYES L.A. RETURN.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

NEW YORK - A three-week winning trend has possibly saved the Lakers' season, though it hasn't necessarily cleared the doubts about their future. Given a chance to tinker last summer, management left intact the three-time champions, but they probably won't stand pat again this summer, no matter how this all turns out.

Samaki Walker is savvy enough to understand this, and in both words and deeds he hopes he's sending a message to the front office: He wants to be here, now and for years to come.

Walker's play has been a key component of the Lakers' recent turnaround - nine wins in the last 11 games - a development that might save Walker and his teammates from being broken up through trades.

``I think there's not a player on this team that feels that we can't win with this group collectively,'' Walker said. ``The fact is just going out there and doing it. I think we're getting our rhythm back.''

Walker has shown signs the last month of becoming the player management envisioned - a hustling, rugged, defense-first forward. He had 10 rebounds and 10 points in Tuesday's huge victory in Indiana that lifted the Lakers to .500, and he is averaging 7.1 rebounds in the last 10 games.

His season averages are modest (7.2 rebounds, 6.2 points), but a bargain for someone making $1.5 million. A free agent this summer, Walker said his first choice is to re-sign with the Lakers.

``I came here to win a championship, I won it, it's still a great team,'' he said. ``I feel that I'm perfect for this squad. I continue to get better. We've got some great offensive players on this team, and it's good to have somebody that's willing to do the other parts, play defense and rebound, and doesn't sit and complain about shots and things of that nature. So I think I fit in perfectly for this team. I'm not an over-pricey guy who's demanding big money.

``But then you have to win. If management sees that you can win with that guy, then they're happy. But when you don't win, they have to make decisions.''

Walker turned down more money to join the Lakers two summers ago, and he's prepared to take less again to stay - ``I never see myself being a selfish guy,'' he said. But he does want a long-term deal and the security that comes with it.

``I'd definitely like to be stable, so I can continue to play basketball, not having to worry about a year or two from now if we have to do this again,'' Walker said. ``Players do become more comfortable, and then can continue to grow instead of having to worry about the pressure of where you're going to be. That makes all the difference in the world. That's basically what I'm looking for right now, is to have that comfort zone where I can really develop.''

--Endorsement: A victory tonight over the New York Knicks would give the Lakers their second five-game winning streak of the season, their 10th victory in 12 games and their first winning record of the season.

Opponents already believe the Lakers are back and ready to compete for a fourth championship.

``This is the best team in the West,'' Pacers assistant coach Brendan Malone said after the Lakers beat Indiana 97-94. ``They're going to represent the West (in the Finals).''

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- Howard Beck