Richmond-Jones Trade Considered

The season begins with the major trade still looming: Mitch Richmond from the Sacramento Kings for Eddie Jones in a swap of all-star shooting guards. The Lakers would also send another player for salary cap purposes, probably Sean Rooks but possibly Corie Blount.

The Lakers won’t comment. But passing on Richmond, a better player at this stage, would be impossible, making a trade likely should King ownership give approval. That appears a possibility, although concern over how the team would be perceived if it helped the Lakers win another championship apparently also remains.

That and other holdups indicate that nothing is imminent. Another, though far less significant, is that the Lakers would like to have a healthy Shaquille O’Neal back before parting with Rooks, who started Friday because of Elden Campbell’s neck spasms.

Though in no hurry to part with Jones, an all-star by his third season, consideration of the major move comes because it would vault the Lakers from the favorites in the eyes of many to win the Western Conference title to possible favorites for the NBA title. Wanting to seize that opportunity while it exists, instead of waiting to see what might develop in coming years, is the impetus for these talks.

Richmond, a dangerous outside threat while also strong enough to take many defenders inside, would provide the second major scoring weapon that championship teams need. The obvious drawback--his career has only a few strong seasons left--is easily offset in the Lakers’ mind by the presence of Kobe Bryant.

Greg Ostertag, speaking after Friday’s game for the first time about his morning slap by O’Neal, said he would not rule out legal action against the Laker center.

“I haven’t decided yet,” he said. “I’m still thinking about it.”

O’Neal had no comment.

Ostertag, the Jazz center, said he was surprised by the attack.

“I didn’t expect what happened to happen,” he said. “I was shocked. I just think it was the heat of the moment.”

Ostertag said the slap probably resulted from “last year’s jawing between two players.”

He then appeared to offer an olive branch.

“Shaq is a great player, he has proved he is one of the best in the league, one of the top 50 players in the game, like they said last year,” he said. “This is over.”

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Nick Van Exel stuck by his pledge and declined to again be voted a team captain. After having three captains last season--Van Exel, Byron Scott and O’Neal--O’Neal holds the title alone this time.

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Robert Horry, the starting power forward as Rooks and Campbell hold down the center spot until the return of O’Neal, isn’t looking at it as a long-term job. “It’s going to be temporary,” he said, though Coach Del Harris hadn’t offered him the same sentiment. “I don’t think it’ll be permanent.” Of course, Horry said that before he collected 13 rebounds, 11 points, seven assists and five blocks against the Jazz. . . . Mario Bennett, so excited about making the team Thursday, proceeded to miss his first real game as a Laker, because of flu.