Lakers Hoped to Sign Brickowski, but They’ll Have to Wait

The Lakers planned to have free-agent center Frank Brickowski signed and at training camp by Tuesday night, but the move was delayed at least a day because of an unspecified problem at Brickowski’s team physical.

A Laker spokesman said Brickowski, 6-10, 240-pounds, did not fail his Laker physical. All Laker officials were saying Tuesday night was that Brickowski will see another doctor today. No reason was given.

Brickowski, 27, played in only 40 games for the Seattle SuperSonics last season because of a broken wrist. His best season in Seattle was 1984-85, when he averaged 4.9 points.

Laker Coach Pat Riley said Tuesday morning that if Brickowski is signed, he will be used both as a backup center and a power forward.

“He (Brickowski) played some of the best defense against Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) as anyone we played last season,” Riley said. “He’s as strong as an ox and he can play. I want seven big men (front-court players) and Brickowski gives us seven. But I wouldn’t be adverse to getting another big guy.”