Jones Would Gladly Trade His Slump

Everybody goes through shooting slumps--it so happens that guard Eddie Jones has started this season in a serious shooting funk after hearing his name in trade rumors for the better part of a month.

After a two-for-12 outing in the season-opener, Jones made only one of his 10 shot attempts against Utah on Sunday, and scored three points.

The latest reported deal discussed was Jones and Elden Campbell to Charlotte in a package that included Glen Rice, but the Lakers, whose interest may never have been too high, apparently refused to consider the trade after Rice demanded a major salary upgrade.

“If I said it wasn’t on my mind, I’d be lying,” Jones said after the game. “But at same time, I went through it last year. . . . I’ve just got to keep my head and just continue to play.

“I know it’s a business and things happen. If I start thinking, ‘Why me?’, I’m definitely going to start losing my confidence. . . . My mind is on winning basketball games. I’ve never in my life been a loser. I just want to win no matter what’s going on around me or to me, I still want to win basketball games.”

Jones, who made 48.4% of his field-goal tries last season, said it’s just a matter of getting the ball to stay in the basket.

“The ball’s been going in and out, all night,” Jones said. “I can’t be upset at that. My shot’s right there. One night it’s going to fall for me.”

Coach Del Harris said that he isn’t worried about Jones.

“Eddie’s an all-star player,” Harris said. “I don’t think he’s going to let things like that ruin his game.”

Sources said that the Lakers continue to wait for Dennis Rodman and his agents at ICM to decide if they can sign for the pro-rated veteran minimum of about $600,000--and if they can line up a side deal with an entertainment company. A decision is expected this week. . . . Backup forward Travis Knight showed up at the Forum with a bout of flu, and was sent home. His status is uncertain. . . . Robert Horry returned, playing 24 minutes after missing the opener to attend the birth of his son in Houston on Saturday.

Tonight

at San Antonio

5 PST, Ch. 9

Site--Alamodome.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 1-1, Spurs 2-0.

Record vs. Spurs (1997-98)--4-0.

Update--The Lakers have already logged hard minutes in two home games (O’Neal and Bryant have consecutive 40-minute-plus outings, Jones has averaged 40.5, and 37-year-old Derek Harper has played 30-plus in both), and now face their first back-to-back, including a long flight Sunday night. The Spurs are rested after beating Minnesota on Saturday at the Alamodome.