Campbell Visits Italian Team, Lakers Say It’s Fact-Finding Trip

Laker officials confirmed Tuesday that their No. 1 draft choice, 6-foot-11 Elden Campbell, is in Italy at the training camp of the Phonola Caserta team, but said they have been told it’s only a fact-finding trip.

“We knew in advance he was going over there,” said Mitch Kupchak, Laker assistant general manager. “We have talked to his representatives. The understanding that we have is that it’s just a trip to explore the opportunity. He’ll come back and see what we can do for him, and he’ll make his decision.”

Campbell is expected to return to Los Angeles this week.

A graduate of Inglewood’s Morningside High and Clemson’s all-time leading scorer, Campbell is reportedly being wooed by Phonola Caserta as a replacement for Oscar Schmidt, the Brazilian sharpshooter who played there last season but is expected to leave for another team in Italy. Italian teams have recently become big bidders for U.S. players.

The Lakers have had preliminary talks with Campbell, but were waiting for the announcement of the new salary cap and the end of the Sam Perkins negotiations to make a concrete offer. Campbell’s contract would also be limited by the NBA salary cap.

“We don’t want to lose a player who we feel can play,” Kupchak said. “But the basketball environment is different than it was 8-10 years ago. There are viable opportunities outside the United States for a player. There’s always a concern you’ll lose a player.”