Worthy’s Retirement Discussed but Not Certain

Forward James Worthy, who contemplated retiring during the summer, is again talking to the Lakers about ending his career, the team said.

“There have been discussions,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Friday before the Lakers opened the season with a 115-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons. “It’s not the kind of thing you put off until sometime at a later date or put on the back burner. It’s something that is being addressed immediately, and hopefully sometime soon we will have a decision.”

The Lakers caution, however, that, contrary to some reports, Worthy has not made up his mind. He bought some extra time before having to play by going on the injured list Thursday because of tendinitis in his left knee and lack of basketball conditioning after sitting out the final three exhibition games after the death of his mother.

“I’ll tell you one thing,” Executive Vice President Jerry West said. “This is not something etched in stone.”

Worthy--who is scheduled to make $7.2 million this season and $5.15 million in 1995-96 as the final two years of his contract--could not be reached for comment.

The No. 1 pick in the 1982 draft and seven-time All-Star is beginning his 13th season with the Lakers, the longest tenure with one team among all active players. He struggled through last season, posting a career low in scoring, shooting and minutes, and is expected to have a far lesser role this campaign after the acquisition of Cedric Ceballos.

“I don’t want to get into that now,” Coach Del Harris said when asked where Worthy would fit in with this team. “Let’s wait and see what happens.”