Roster Decision May Come Today

The Lakers will probably announce more cuts today, a day before their third exhibition game. They play Phoenix on Tuesday night at the Arrowhead Pond.

Guards Shawn Respert and Cory Hightower and forward Andy Panko may be gone.

Barring injury or whim, the 12-man roster is close to set. Two places on injured reserve remain available. Coach Phil Jackson has spent much of camp evaluating candidates to replace guard Derek Fisher, who will spend most of the season on injured reserve. Assuming forwards Slava Medvedenko, Mark Madsen and Devean George are physically sound enough, there may not be room for guards Mike Penberthy or Tyronn Lue.

“I don’t think it’s a necessity,” Jackson said of breaking camp with a small guard. “We definitely need someone who can chase smaller, quicker guards. That’s a defensive priority. It’s not so much anything else. But, we do need something on the defensive end that works for us.

“Kobe [Bryant] has that job right now. He’s got the speed and quickness to chase guys like that.”

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Madsen has a sore left wrist and was to undergo tests either Sunday night or this morning to determine the extent of the injury.

Madsen played despite pain and limited mobility Thursday and Saturday but was held out of contact drills Sunday. He took a blow to the wrist during Thursday’s exhibition.

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An earthy sort who watches his money, Madsen arrived at training camp driving a 9-year-old minivan. Despite a three-year, $2.3-million contract, Madsen had no intention of trading up.

Shaquille O’Neal, who looks out for the rookies the way Dennis Scott took care of him in Orlando, convinced Madsen that now that the rookie forward was in the NBA, he would have to leave the soccer-mom image behind.

“Mad Dog was in an ’81 van,” O’Neal said, exaggerating a little. “I said, ‘Mad Dog, Mad Dog, you’re a first-round pick. You cannot roll into Staples Center in no ’81 Astrovan.’ ”

So long, minivan.

Madsen pulled into the parking lot Sunday morning in a brand new Chevy Tahoe.

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If the Lakers are to add a power forward this season, today’s meeting of league lawyers and an arbitrator in New York might provide their only chance.

Arguments will be presented regarding the secret arrangement between the Minnesota Timberwolves and forward Joe Smith that allegedly violated the collective bargaining agreement. Arbitrator Kenneth Dam is expected to rule shortly after, perhaps by the end of the week, although he has 30 days.

While it is a longshot--L.A. has only its $1.2-million exception remaining--the Lakers would be among many to actively pursue Smith if he were made a free agent.