LAKERS SWEPT - AGAIN; RAMBIS, DREW AND BERTKA ARE PART OF JACKSON HOUSECLEANING.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

The Lakers' postseason sweep continues.

A month after being swept out of the playoffs, and two weeks after replacing coach Kurt Rambis with Phil Jackson, the team has swept out the rest of the coaching staff.

Jackson met face-to-face with Rambis and assistant coaches Larry Drew and Bill Bertka on Monday and delivered the harsh, but expected news: They don't fit into his plans.

``He just basically said that he's going to bring in his own staff,'' a somber Rambis said Monday afternoon. ``At this point in time, I'm not sure what my future holds.''

The same can be said for Drew and Bertka. All three will be offered as-yet undetermined front-office positions. The remaining assistant, Dave Wohl, has already accepted a coaching position with the Orlando Magic.

Officially, Jackson has not hired anyone. But his direction is clear - Jim Cleamons and Jimmy Rodgers, both Jackson assistants with the Chicago Bulls, are in the hiring pipeline. And Chicago assistant Tex Winter is a likely candidate to complete the staff once his contract with the Bulls expires on Wednesday.

If Jackson is unable to lure Winter, he might retain a current assistant, probably Drew. Drew also has been contacted by at least one NBA team regarding an assistant coaching slot.

Jackson's final decisions could be made by the end of the week.

``It looks like he's earmarked some people that he'd like to have, independent of our staff,'' said general manager Mitch Kupchak, who declined to confirm any candidates. ``As hopeful as we were that he would hire somebody from our staff, I don't think you could say we're surprised he decided to do what he's doing. And it's certainly understandable.''

The moves signal the end of an era on the Lakers bench.

Bertka has logged 24 years with the Lakers, including the past 18. During that time, he has served 10 head coaches, and occasionally served one-game stints as head coach himself, as he did after Del Harris was fired in February.

The 71-year-old NBA veteran, who is under contract until September, will coach the Lakers' summer league team in July, then make a decision on his future with the team. But he has a hard time envisioning a life away from the bench.

``2,197 is in jeopardy,'' he joked, referring to his consecutive games streak. ``I've been very fortunate in my tenure with the Lakers. And appreciative.''

Bertka ruled out retirement. Of a front-office job, he said, ``My preference, and the thing I enjoy most, is being part of the game and working with the players. I'll approach that in September.''

Also ending is a longstanding tradition of hiring from within the Lakers family. Drew played here for two seasons, then coached the past seven years. Rambis has spent a combined 13 seasons as Lakers player and coach.

Of Jackson's new staff, only Cleamons - a Laker for one season in 1972-73 - has Lakers roots.

All the current coaches said they understood Jackson's desire to surround himself with familiar personnel.

``I kind of had the gut feeling he would bring in his own staff,'' Drew said. ``I was just hoping that I would be a part of it.''

Rambis, who guided the Lakers to a 24-13 record as interim coach this season, might have opportunities to coach elsewhere or pursue a budding broadcasting career but will wait to see what the Lakers offer.

``It's disappointing that I won't be able to be an assistant coach with the Lakers this year, but I just have to move forward,'' he said. ``It was an up-and-down year. . . . But it was a tremendous learning experience.''

Kupchak declined to specify what type of front-office jobs would be offered to the former staff, but said, ``There are certain areas we do need help in'' and added he ``would be surprised if we didn't have at least one (of them) stay on.''

The changes might not end with the coaching staff. It's possible Jackson could ask to hire his own trainer, conditioning coach and equipment manager as well. Trainer Gary Vitti has been with the team for 15 years.

THANKS . . . NOW GOOD-BYE

New coach Phil Jackson said good-bye Monday to some coaches who have been with the Lakers organization for a long time.

Kurt Rambis: Head coach for majority of one season; assistant coach for four-plus seasons.

Larry Drew: Assistant coach for seven years.

Bill Bertka: Assistant coach for 18 years, longest tenure with a single team of any NBA assistant.

LAKERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Location Time

Oct. 13 Washington Kansas City, Mo. 5:30 p.m.

Oct. 19 Golden StateSan Diego 7:30 p.m.

x-Oct. 21 Golden State Forum 8 p.m.

x-Oct. 22 Miami or Phoenix Forum 8 p.m.

Oct. 26 Phoenix Las Vegas, Nev. 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 Utah Pond 7:30 p.m.

x- Shootout with Miami, Phoenix and Golden State

CAPTION(S):

2 Boxes

BOX: (1) THANKS . . . NOW GOOD-BYE (see text)

(2) LAKERS PRESEASON SCHEDULE (see text)