Lakers Found Wanting

It’s what the Lakers got in Wednesday night’s game and what they hope to get today.

One steal.

In the Lakers’ past, it played a role in the 103-84 loss to Cleveland before 16,402 at the Forum, only the 13th time in 51 games the Cavaliers, averaging 88.8 points a game coming in, have broken triple figures. That invisible ball pressure and the 37-15 scoring deficit in the fourth quarter, a string of baskets that made it impossible to force the game out of a trot.

“Tonight was a night when it hurt,” Laker Nick Van Exel said of the injuries. “Players were arguing, coaches were arguing with players. We don’t need it. It’s not good for us in the situation that we’re in. We have to stick together.”

For the Lakers’ future, it’s their hope for a deal today, likely with the New Jersey Nets. Their hope for one steal.

The game was played against the backdrop of tonight’s trade deadline--and the possible arrival of a new Laker. Chances appeared decent that a deal would be made, though not certain. And chances were almost certain that if it did come down, it would be for New Jersey’s George McCloud.

McCloud is attractive to the Lakers for several reasons:

--He plays small forward, a help for a team that just lost two starters on the frontline to injury.

--He’s a capable three-point weapon, all the better to provide air support for a playoff roster that includes Shaquille O’Neal, they hope.

--He’s already packed, having been sent from the Mavericks to the Nets in Monday’s mega-deal.

The Lakers had talked to Dallas officials about getting McCloud before the deal with New Jersey and, in fact, they long have appreciated the shooting range of the 1989 lottery pick. It works out almost ideally in that the Nets could add another big man, which they would like, get some package that would include draft picks and work a swap that fits in the salary cap without any hassles.

Sean Rooks ($1.2 million) and Corie Blount and Joe Kleine ($1.235 million each) are all in line with McCloud’s $1.1 million. But Rooks, though the most capable of the three at center, has six more years left, a burden to most teams but especially unattractive for the Nets in their bid to avoid long-term deals for now.

That leaves Kleine or Blount, probably along with a first-round pick, as the most likely. Among those, Kleine emerged as the best possibility because he will be a free agent July 1. McCloud will too, but at least New Jersey could get a 7-footer for the final months.

Besides, Blount is best suited at power forward, although he has been a pinch-hit small forward because of injuries past and present. He has two years left on his contract, but they are not guaranteed.

If the Nets agree to Kleine, the Lakers get a player they want while giving up their 12th man. That is, of course, if the Nets agree to anything, and that was no certainty because their deal with Dallas was being held up Wednesday night when Khalid Reeves was found to have a heart murmur, something he described as minor, but a red flag nonetheless.

“The odds are always against a trade any particular time,” Laker Coach Del Harris said. “On the other hand, activities do go on, so we’ll see.”

The pursuit of McCloud, in the final year of his contract, comes as the agent for Dominique Wilkins, after being given permission by the Spurs to talk with other teams, spoke to the Lakers in hopes of arranging a deal to return the former Clipper to Los Angeles. Steve Kauffman also has been in contact with six other clubs, with the Hawks No. 1 on the wish list despite the acrimonious parting in 1994, but the Lakers are another favorite.

Wilkins, a true small forward who has spent time at the power spot during the Spurs’ freakish run on injuries, has maintained a great attitude during a difficult season in San Antonio. But as of Wednesday night, the Lakers were putting most of their energy into acquiring McCloud, so Wilkins was a longshot at best.