Welcome to Latest Edition of Laker Talk

Vlade Divac is going to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Vlade Divac is going to the Charlotte Hornets.

Vlade Divac is going to . . . stay right where he is?

Apparently for the time being, at least. Contrary to rumors around the league, indications are that the Lakers are not on the verge of trading their starting center to move up in today’s NBA draft, or anybody for that matter.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people,” Executive Vice President Jerry West said Tuesday. “But I really don’t think anything is going to happen.”

For now. The matter of Divac’s future in Los Angeles will be addressed again when the free-agent bidding starts Monday, labor peace willing, and the Lakers get to tempt Shaquille O’Neal for real.

That’s when they’ll worry about adding impact players. Today, assuming they hold on to the 24th pick in a weak draft, is for tinkering, namely adding a backup. The encouraging part of it around the Forum is that the Lakers have had great success this low before, having picked up A.C. Green, Elden Campbell and Divac in the 20s in recent years.

Preparing for the many possibilities, they brought in 14 prospects for workouts, compared to the eight or 10 in the past. So many scenarios. So many wild cards.

“I know exactly who we’re picking,” West deadpanned. “It’s clear as mud.”

The eventual choice should probably come into focus out of this group:

BACKCOURT

--Kobe Bryant, Lower Merion (Pa.) High. They’ll have to trade up to get him, probably eight or 10 spots, and that’s only if the New Jersey Nets pass at No. 8. That makes this a long shot, but in a perfect Laker world. . . .

He’s closer to 6-4 than the listed 6-6, but now also considered closer to the real deal than early reports indicated. He’s flashy, handles the ball, is bright and scores from all over. “I think there’s a real good chance this kid is ready to play before people think,” one scout says.

--Moochie Norris, West Florida. A penetrator with an improving outside shot.

--Derek Fisher, Arkansas Little Rock. He’s not big (6-1) and he’s not quick, but very solid and a good defender. There’s something to be said for getting someone this low who doesn’t make many mistakes.

--Tony Delk, Kentucky. A good kid who can make shots, but he’s not a true point guard, and that’s what the Lakers would like. Only 6-1, so he can’t play anywhere else.

--Reggie Geary, Arizona. A great athlete and standout defender from Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, but he has limited shooting skills at best.

FRONTCOURT

--Brian Evans, Indiana. He’s a big-time shooter, but big-time slow. If he had anything beyond first gear, he might be the perfect fit for a team that has been looking to add someone with dependable three-point range, especially one who plays small forward. Is two out of three good enough?

--Dontae’ Jones, Mississippi State. Quick, explosive small forward.

--Jerome Williams, Georgetown. It would be a surprise if he is still available. He might eventually play both forward spots, but will need to bulk up from the listed 206 pounds. Still, there’s a lot to like about a guy who loves to run, defend and rebound, even if he can’t shoot. Who said Dennis Rodman Jr.?

--Roy Rogers, Alabama. Very raw and no offensive game beyond a jump hook, but 6-10 and a hard worker make him a defensive factor inside.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Lakers in First Round Selections i n the ‘90s *--*

Year Pick Player Pos. School 1990 27 Elden Campbell F Clemson 1991 None 1992 15 Anthony Peeler G Missouri 1993 12 George Lynch F North Carolina 1994 10 Eddie Jones G-F Temple 1995 None

*--*