Guessing Game Continues With Rodman

The Lakers’ signing of Dennis Rodman, pretty much a situation of when and not if since last Friday, should be completed in time for him to be in uniform by Tuesday’s game against Charlotte, a source told The Associated Press.

The Times reported Saturday that Rodman had decided to sign with the Lakers.

Assuming that Rodman, who can only sign for the veteran minimum of $1 million pro-rated for games missed, does suit up for that game, his salary would come out to $536,586, since he would be active for only the remaining 44 games (earning $12,195 per game).

The AP’s source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said late Sunday he expected Rodman to sign a contract “late tonight, tomorrow, or Tuesday at the latest.”

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Shaquille O’Neal appeared to suffer no ill effects from his recent groin-muscle injury on Sunday, spinning, slashing and crashing his way to 36 points and 17 rebounds.

O’Neal, who suffered the injury in the middle of last Wednesday’s game in Denver and sat out the following game in Minnesota, spent most of the last two days working with Laker strength and conditioning coach Jim Cotta, trainer Gary Vitti and O’Neal’s abdominal specialist, Alex McKechnie.

“I’m cool,” O’Neal said after the game. “I’m sure I’m going to be sore tomorrow.”

McKechnie will probably stay with the team at least through this week.

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Despite the loss, Coach Del Harris said Sunday’s game might have seen the breakthrough performances he had been looking for from point guard Derek Fisher and forwards Rick Fox and Travis Knight.

Fisher had eight assists, more than half his combined total in the previous five games. Fox, who missed the first three games because of foot problems, scored a season-high 10 points and Knight, who missed two games due to flu, had eight rebounds in the first half.