Jones Signs Contract With Lakers; A.C. Green Close to an Agreement

The Lakers Wednesday announced that they had signed 6-11 center-forward Earl Jones to a new contract and are close to reaching agreement with 6-7 forward A.C. Green.

Jones, the club’s 1984 first-round draft choice from the University of the District of Columbia, played only seven minutes last season, appearing in just two games because of injuries.

He began the season on the injured reserve list due to an inflammation in his right foot, finally was activated on Nov. 6, then returned to the injured reserve list Nov. 28 after fracturing his right ankle.

Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Laker General Manager Jerry West, meanwhile, said approval of the contract with Green, the club’s 1985 first-round draft choice out of Oregon State, is “a mere formality if nothing changes.”

A formal announcement is expected today after Laker owner Jerry Buss ratifies the contract.

Green’s agent, Leon Jordan, said the multiyear pact is worth more than $150,000 per year, but declined to go into detail regarding the exact amount or length of the contract.

Until forward Jamaal Wilkes was waived Aug. 28, the Lakers were unable to sign Green to a contract of more than $75,000 a year because of the National Basketball Assn.’s salary cap rule.