Rice Rumors Are Still Boiling

Based on the number of trade and free-agent signing rumors regarding Glen Rice this summer, about the only team that hasn’t been mentioned with the Lakers’ sharpshooting forward is the Clippers.

Rice, one of the last big-name free agents on the market, supposedly has been headed anywhere from the New York Knicks to his latest rumored team, the Denver Nuggets. But as of Friday, Rice is still unsigned and the Lakers, who reportedly are willing to re-sign him at a reduced salary, are not out of the picture.

According to the most recent Internet rumor, Rice is close to a sign-and-trade deal that would send him to the Nuggets for big men Keon Clark and Popeye Jones, and guard Voshon Lenard. The Laker offices were closed Friday and team officials were unavailable for comment.

Although the Lakers surprised the league by signing controversial free-agent guard Isaiah Rider last week, the franchise has taken some heat for its inability to reach a conclusion with Rice.

Miami Heat Coach Pat Riley even criticized his former team in the Orlando Sun-Sentinel.

“It amazes me that the Lakers, after them winning the championship, have not shown the kind of interest that they probably should show with a player of his caliber,” said Riley, who doubts Rice would fall into the $2.5-million mid-level exception pay range.

With the addition of Rider and the need for a power forward, many predict the Lakers will wait until they can fix two problems with one move. There are some who believe that because Rice’s wife ripped Coach Phil Jackson for her husband’s inconsistent playing time during the NBA finals, the Lakers are willing to keep Rice in limbo until training camp.

Rice is free to sign with any team and has drawn interest, but because of salary-cap restraints, he can’t get as much money as he will if the Lakers sign him first, then trade him.

Charlotte and Miami have matched the Knicks and Bulls in efforts to involve the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal. A week ago, Rice appeared set to go to New York in a four-team deal that would have brought Detroit’s Christian Laettner to the Lakers. But since the trade fell through, the Hornets, who reportedly want to move Derrick Coleman, and the Heat have made strong pushes to acquire Rice.

Because the list of available free-agent big men is short, the Lakers have not counted out working out a Rice trade. Charlotte’s Brad Miller is the most sought-after big man still available, but his asking price is expected to be too much for the Lakers, who still have a mid-level exception available.

Other big free agents unsigned include Chicago’s Dickey Simpkins, Atlanta’s LaPhonso Ellis and Miami’s Duane Causwell.