Feelers Sent Out to Smith Agent

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak has been in contact with the agent for forward Joe Smith, who this week was granted free agency in a ruling by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

The Lakers have only their $1.2-million exception to offer for this season and their approximately $4-million mid-level exception for next season. Smith is expected to command much more from Chicago, among other clubs below the salary cap, and Miami, which could be granted a disabled player exception because of Alonzo Mourning’s illness.

“We put in the call,” Kupchak said. “I’m not going to say what we have and haven’t done.”

Smith averaged 9.9 points and 7.5 rebounds last season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were severely punished by the league Wednesday for signing Smith to a secret contract in violation of salary-cap rules.

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By this time next week, it seems, Slava Medvedenko--”Med Dog” to Mark Madsen’s “Mad Dog”--will be on his own.

The 21-year-old Ukrainian forward no longer will have translator and companion Alexander Volkov to rely on, a decision made by Laker management and seconded by Volkov.

“There’s no other way,” Volkov said. “He’s on his own. The Lakers did everything for him. I sacrificed my time for him and now it’s his time.”

Kupchak did not want Medvedenko to become so reliant on Volkov that it stunted his assimilation to the NBA game and the Laker locker room. While his teammates chat and laugh with one another before and after games, Medvedenko frequently sits quietly, staring at the floor.

“He has to take this opportunity,” Volkov said. “It’s a big life task. It’s time for him to become a man, big time.”

Coach Phil Jackson’s assessment of Medvedenko has varied. Depending on how the question is phrased, it seems, either Medvedenko won’t contribute much this season or he has a good chance to play. There is a chance he will start the season on injured reserve, though he isn’t injured.

Strong, if somewhat robotic, Medvedenko played 80 minutes in eight exhibition games. He scored 28 points on 11-of-35 shooting and had 21 rebounds.

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Isaiah Rider got his first technical foul as a Laker, and it appeared well spent. Late in the Lakers’ 98-84 exhibition victory at Phoenix on Thursday, guard Tyronn Lue was clotheslined as he dashed upcourt by Sun center Jake Tsakalidis, a rookie.

While Lue recovered on the floor, Rider retaliated by shoving Tsakalidis.

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It could be a long weekend for the Lakers. They played their best exhibition game Thursday, but Jackson was disappointed that many of them fatigued too early.

“I thought our guys are not in good enough condition to play 35 minutes,” Jackson said. “Kobe [Bryant] is. A couple others are. That’s all.”

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Bryant averaged a team-high 21.9 points and Shaquille O’Neal 17.1 points during the exhibition season. Per 48 minutes, that averages to 35.1 and 30.3, respectively.

The third-highest scorer per 48 minutes, was surprising Mike Penberthy, at 21.8.

It is possible Bryant has lost most or all of his estimated $1-million investment in Olimpia Milano, an Italian League team. Negotiations are ongoing, but it appears Italian liquidators will award the team to Milan businessmen.