AROUND THE NBA : Lakers Expect to Make a Deal

Jerry West, a couple of days removed from putting the finishing touches on the Laker roster, said Tuesday there is reason for optimism for the coming season.

“In the next couple of days, we will acquire another veteran player to help us up front,” said West, the Lakers’ executive vice president. “The sooner, the better.”

The Lakers had been courting power forward Charles Oakley, but he re-signed with Toronto on Tuesday for a reported three-year, $18-million deal.

West would not specify whether he continues to pursue a free agent or a trade.

“There’s too much talk and speculation as it is,” he said.

As for the coming season, West said: “I’ve always valued continuity, not having a lot of changes, and we’re at that point in time. I believe we have three of the top 25 players in the NBA. We already had the top two draws [Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant], then we added a premier shooter [Glen Rice]. There are many reasons for hope and enthusiasm for our veteran players, and for fans.”

What shouldn’t be counted on is the return of forward Dennis Rodman, who recently has been trying his hardest to talk his way back on the Lakers.

“I really think it’s time to put Dennis Rodman behind us,” West said. “If he were to come back, I’d welcome him with open arms because we now have a coach who can handle him. But I really think it’s time to put that to rest.”

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Veteran center Felton Spencer signed a one-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs, effectively replacing departing backup center Will Perdue.

Spencer, a 7-footer selected in the 1990 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the sixth overall pick, played last season with the Golden State Warriors before becoming a free agent.

Perdue signed last week with the Chicago Bulls.

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Larry Bird says he had an irregular heartbeat during off-season workouts late in his career with the Boston Celtics, but he never told team doctors about it.

He said he would feel sudden exhaustion and his heart would start “jumping around,” according to an excerpt in this week’s Sports Illustrated from his upcoming book, “Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching the Game I Love.”

After retiring in 1992 and joining the Celtics’ front office, Bird felt what he called the “episodes” more often. He finally told team physician Arnie Scheller and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

Bird was put on medication and told to exercise, eat healthy and drink alcohol only in moderation. Bird says he has had more problems, but he won’t live in fear of the condition.

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Prosecutors have approved a misdemeanor warrant charging Charlotte Hornet forward Derrick Coleman with disorderly conduct, following accusations that he urinated in front of dining room patrons at a Detroit restaurant on Aug. 7. Coleman, 32, has denied any wrongdoing. . . . Center Olden Polynice, 34, passed a physical exam, validating his two-year contract with the Utah Jazz. . . . The Houston Rockets and the city have reached a tentative agreement for a new $160 million sports arena that includes the city and team splitting costs, according to the Houston Chronicle.