He’s Unsigned, but Rodman Has Entered the Building

Dennis Rodman, who had ducked the Lakers for two weeks while his agents negotiated with them, scheduled a meeting with owner Jerry Buss for Wednesday night, sources told The Times.

Rodman has been signaling his intention to join the Lakers for a week, through his International Creative Management agents. Before Wednesday, however, he had refused to commit himself, or even to sit down with Laker officials.

The Lakers refused to confirm or deny the meeting.

However, team spokesman John Black said, “I can tell you we’re hoping for that and we’ve been trying to set up a meeting in person. If he’s telling you that he wants to meet in person, we say, great.”

Rodman’s ICM agents could not be reached for comment. However, there were reports that Rodman planned to meet Buss without them, intending to work out his own deal.

Rodman is reportedly still unhappy about having to play for the veterans’ minimum of $1 million, prorated to $600,000 for the shortened season, now down to $519,999, eight games into it.

The Lakers, who are over the salary cap, have nothing else to offer--this season. They have already given their $1.75 million “average player exception” to Rick Fox.

If Buss wishes, he could make a longer commitment, signing Rodman for more seasons, guaranteeing him more money.

For two weeks, Laker officials have been asking to talk to Rodman, with no luck. Rodman’s agent, Steve Chasman, met with Buss last Thursday. Sources say Buss left with the impression that Rodman had decided to play for his team.

The Lakers expected Rodman to announce his plans over the weekend but nothing happened. Instead, he went to Las Vegas, staying through Monday.

He didn’t surface for Tuesday’s game here against the Hornets. Wednesday, he passed the word to the Lakers that he wanted to sit down with them and work this out.

How long Buss can let this continue is another question. Sources say his executive vice president, Jerry West, and his general manager, Mitch Kupchak, have opposed signing Rodman all along, predicting just this kind of distraction.

The team has been so distracted by the furor, and by reports of a multi-player trade for Charlotte’s Glen Rice, Coach Del Harris has asked players not to discuss it publicly any more.