Van Exel Trade Seems Likely

The Lakers have stepped up efforts to trade Nick Van Exel, several league sources confirm, to the extent that the all-star point guard has already been told by team officials that their five-year association has likely ended.

“It sounds like he is definitely on the block,” said an official with one team that has had talked with the Lakers. “That would be a safe assumption.”

The Lakers are not commenting, but it has been known since the day after the season ended that they would be looking to move Van Exel, after criticism from management and some teammates that he was not giving 100% in the final games against the Utah Jazz. Likewise, Elden Campbell remains a possibility to be dealt.

Who the Lakers would get in return is far less certain, as is whether they are prepared to have Derek Fisher remain the starter. Rumors of interest by the New York Knicks persist, and the Golden State Warriors are also said to be interested. One likely target for a replacement in Los Angeles is Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns, well regarded but also stuck as the backup to Jason Kidd.

Several others teams would also have interest in Van Exel, but prefer to wait to see how the free-agent market plays out, while the Lakers might be hoping to make a deal before the draft. Van Exel is 26 and coming off his best season, but has problematic knees and a character that’s still questioned despite the considerable strides of 1997-98.

One way or another, though, it appears Van Exel and the Lakers are prepared to part company.

“I think he accepts it as something that’s probably inevitable,” said his agent, James Bryant.

He just doesn’t necessarily accept the destination without hesitation, wherever it may be. Bryant said Van Exel has no plans to retire, despite the point guard’s claims to the contrary earlier this season that he would consider such a move when his contract expires after 1998-99 if his knees worsen, but that his client might not report.

“I think he’ll accept it [the trade], depending where it is,” Bryant said. “But he’s not just going to go anywhere and any situation. He’s not going to be unreasonable, but he’s not just going to go to any situation that doesn’t fit.”