Final Cuts to Come Late

Coach Del Harris will apparently wait until the final week of training camp before making the Lakers’ four roster moves, a decision he reached after contemplating some early cuts to try to help a squad that will be dominated by new players jell sooner.

“Everybody has worked so hard and played well,” Harris said. “I don’t have any bad players. It is a little problem getting enough work for everybody in a two-hour practice with 16 guys, but there’s nobody I don’t want here.”

Only five of the 16 were Lakers last season. Four of those are starters--Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Cedric Ceballos and Elden Campbell--but the lack of established chemistry is one reason most in camp are holding back from bold predictions for the season. They’re not sure how the personalities will mix either.

The timetable for cuts is not a major issue for Harris; it’s simply something that could streamline practices and exhibition games. But the last exhibition is Oct. 25, against the Seattle SuperSonics in Boise, Ida., so the Lakers would still have another week to work with the smaller group before the regular season begins.

“That gives us time,” Harris said.

The third of their eight exhibition games is tonight against the Dallas Mavericks in Fresno. Kobe Bryant, after sitting out the first two because of a broken wrist, will make his debut.

The Mavericks will have Jim Jackson, but little else because of injuries. Jason Kidd (strained hamstring), Jamal Mashburn (still recovering from knee surgery), Chris Gatling (strained groin) and first-round pick Samaki Walker (sore quadriceps) did not make the trip.