Lakers Negotiating to Sign Forward Jay Vincent

The Lakers are negotiating with forward Jay Vincent, recently waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, and say they are hoping to announce his signing this morning.

Vincent, 6-foot-7, 230 pounds, has passed a Laker physical examination and is said to be in good shape. In recent years, Vincent has had a weight problem, but sources said his body fat percentage is 10%, considered low.

Jerry West, the Lakers’ general manager, confirmed that Vincent passed a physical and that the club has an interest in signing him to provide offense off the bench.

“We don’t know for sure yet (whether Vincent will sign),” West said Saturday. “There are a couple of teams still interested in him. But we hope to do something soon.”

The Lakers, who have an open roster spot after putting rookie Mel McCants on the injured list, can sign Vincent for the league minimum of $110,000. Vincent, waived on Dec. 14, has four guaranteed years left on a contract that pays $415,000 per season, but the 76ers and San Antonio Spurs each are liable for half of the money.

A former teammate of Laker Magic Johnson’s at Michigan State, Vincent has played for six teams in the last five seasons. In 17 games with the 76ers, Vincent averaged 15 minutes and slightly more than seven points.

Vincent began his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks in 1981-82. He averaged 21.4 points and was voted to the all-rookie team.

After five seasons in Dallas, Vincent fell into disfavor with Maverick management and was traded to the Washington Bullets before the 1986-87 season for a first-round draft choice.

He lasted only one season in Washington before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four-player deal before the 1987-88 season. Vincent then was traded to San Antonio last January in another four-player trade.

Vincent was traded a fourth time last fall as part of the deal between the Spurs and 76ers that sent Maurice Cheeks to San Antonio and Johnny Dawkins to Philadelphia.

Vincent’s weight problem followed him from Denver to San Antonio and then to Philadelphia. He reportedly weighed 237 pounds at the 76ers’ training camp and did not immediately impress management.

Before being waived on Dec. 14, Vincent was twice benched by 76er Coach Jim Lynam. Earlier in the season, Vincent had replaced Kenny Payne as the 76ers’ starting small forward. He lasted only five games in the starting lineup before being replaced by Rick Mahorn and having his playing time drop considerably.

Laker Notes

The Lakers’ recently completed two-week trip took its toll in practice Saturday. They had only eight players capable of working out. James Worthy had the flu, Mychal Thompson had bursitis in his left heel and Mel McCants was hobbled by a strained right ankle and a sprained left ankle. Byron Scott missed practice, according to Coach Pat Riley, to be the best man in his father’s wedding in Kansas City. Scott is expected to return for today’s practice. Thompson’s status still is questionable. “I’ll have to wait until Tuesday morning to see,” Thompson said. The Lakers do not play again until Tuesday night, against the Sacramento Kings at the Forum.