Campbell Accepts Perimeter Role

In another effort to open more room inside for Shaquille O’Neal, and to spread the offense in the hope that will mean open shots around the perimeter when O’Neal is double-teamed, Coach Del Harris asked power forward Elden Campbell to alter his game this season and make medium-range jump shots a weapon.

The change was a welcome one for Campbell, who spent 1996-97 primarily as a back-to-the-basket post player. He remembers all too well the traffic jams around the key when he and O’Neal both played the post. “It was definitely too crowded,” Campbell said.

“Elden is an outstanding shooter,” Harris said. “A lot of people don’t realize that, but Elden is a good 15- to 17-foot shooter. He’s worked on that.”

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The Lakers made their first cut, waiving their second-round draft pick, point guard DeJuan Wheat of Louisville.

Wheat averaged 7.7 minutes while appearing in three of the four exhibition games. His release leaves 14 players on the roster, two over the limit.

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The Lakers (3-1) play at Denver tonight. Campbell, who missed the last two games to return to Los Angeles on personal business, has rejoined the team.