Rambis, 35, Is Cut After His Second Stint With Lakers

Kurt Rambis was waived by the Lakers in awkward fashion Tuesday, moments after being called off the team bus shortly before it left for a game and two days before he was to earn a $250,000 bonus.

As recently as last Friday, the Lakers appeared to be considering activating their popular veteran forward to help their rebounding. He even flew with the team from Los Angeles on Monday for the start of the six-game trip, then boarded the bus Tuesday for the ride to the Palace of Auburn Hills. At that point, public relations director John Black told Rambis that Coach Randy Pfund wanted to talk with him.

“There was an unavoidable number of circumstances,” Pfund said, citing the youth movement as the reason for the decision. “Nothing major. Sometimes, it’s just timing.”

In this case, bad timing, especially for Rambis, who was believed to be headed home Tuesday night. He was making the minimum salary of $150,000, but would have had that bumped to a guaranteed $400,000 if he was on the active roster or injured list Thursday.

“Financial considerations are always a factor in this league,” Pfund said. “(But) from my standpoint, it wasn’t the final consideration.”

Rambis, 35, averaged three points, four rebounds and 16 minutes in five games of his second tour with the Lakers.