Lakers Put Out Line for Worm

Publicly conceding for the first time that they have all but lost out on Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers are now pursuing a variety of options that range from making a trade to create additional salary-cap room in hopes of landing multiple free agents to taking a chunk of the current bankroll and spending it on Dennis Rodman.

The Rodman twist is a new development in the hunt for a free-agent big man--one, it is believed, that emerged only within the last few days when management sensed O’Neal slipping away for good and they began to consider alternatives. By Monday night, Executive Vice President Jerry West was entertaining Rodman and his agent, Dwight Manley, at a Los Angeles restaurant.

This indicates strong interest from the Lakers, though not a definite attempt to sign the game’s best rebounder, considering that his attitude would be as much a part of the decision as his contract. Should things move forward, though, they would prefer it being as part of a larger plan.

Having budgeted $8.53 million for salary additions this summer--not the maximum available, but the most they could spend and still retain negotiating rights with Elden Campbell--the Lakers would ideally like to add two quality big men if O’Neal doesn’t accept the seven-year, $95.5 million offer, then re-sign Campbell. Rodman, long a favorite of owner Jerry Buss, could be part of that.

The result would be no superstar center, but the potential of a good three-man rotation. If it’s a power forward such as Rodman or Chris Gatling, Campbell could easily move to center, since the positions are largely interchangeable in the Laker system and he often defended centers last season anyway. If Brian Williams is involved, with either Rodman or Gatling, all the better for flexibility.

The fall-back plan has been a very real possibility since Saturday, when it was learned that the Lakers were close to finalizing a deal with Indiana Pacer forward Dale Davis that would have also eliminated them from the O’Neal derby. When they decided to hang in a little longer, Davis, equally interested but not wanting to wait, agreed to terms with the Pacers.

What’s different this time is the trade option.

“Things are being discussed,” one source said.

At the same time, nothing appeared far along as of Monday night. The motivation, more than adding a center or power forward from another team, would be to clear additional space under the cap, more likely to advance the fall-back plan than for O’Neal. That would mean a player being swapped for a future draft pick--a salary going out but none coming in.

The risk is in cutting too much off the current roster for the long-term possibilities. There do not appear to be any untouchables on the team, but Anthony Peeler would be one of the stronger possibilities to be moved because, even though he is a favorite of West, he is a reserve here but still a commodity around the league.

Such a move would add $1.54 million of spending power, and the Lakers would have highly touted rookie Kobe Bryant to move into Peeler’s job as backup shooting guard.

Then to decide how to spend the money. Among those under consideration, the Lakers are looking most seriously at Williams, Gatling and Jim McIlvane, although Ron Grinker, the agent for McIlvane, said they have not yet emerged as serious players for his client with the possibility of a decision by McIlvane coming soon.

Another center went off the market when Dikembe Mutombo signed with the Atlanta Hawks, but this was not much of a loss for the Lakers. Although very intrigued by the possibility of having a major defensive presence inside, they were in no hurry to put a big strain on the salary cap for seven years for an occasional all-star. He wasn’t even at the top of the list of alternatives in case O’Neal was lost.

As for O’Neal, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday that the Magic were prepared to offer him a seven-year deal worth $115 million, numbers that a league source confirms are “in the ballpark.” The Lakers already realized they were in trouble when Miami agreed to terms with Alonzo Mourning on a seven-year package worth anywhere from $106-112 million, depending on reports, knowing that there was little chance O’Neal would allow himself to sign for less than the other center in Florida.

“We haven’t completely given up hope,” Laker spokesman John Black said. “However, realistically, it looks as if he’ll remain in Orlando. We can’t come very close to competing with them financially. But until he or his agent tell us definitely what they are going to do, or until he signs a contract, we’ll continue to keep that as a hopeful option.”

And now O’Neal is in the worst possible place for the Lakers, Orlando, for practice with the Olympic team. Around the home he loves. Around family and friends who have moved there. It’s a homecourt advantage even in the off-season, and the Magic know it.

“I would hope so,” said John Gabriel, the team’s vice president of basketball operations. “It doesn’t hurt.”