Teams Allowed to Talk to West

Two NBA organizations have asked for and received permission to approach Laker consultant Jerry West regarding positions in their front offices, one of them--believed to be the Memphis Grizzlies--only recently.

The Atlanta Hawks obtained permission last summer and have spoken at length with West, who remains open to resuming a career that appeared to end nearly two years ago, when he resigned as the Lakers’ executive vice president for basketball operations.

“Without putting a time frame on it, it is true that more than one team has asked to speak to Jerry,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday. “At Jerry’s request, he has asked for us not to mention which teams.”

West, who detests when these matters become public, declined comment, and Kupchak would not confirm contact by Memphis or Atlanta.

Though he has refused to address his interest in returning to the game at length, West has attended more Laker games lately, and keeps a fairly rigorous schedule as a consultant to the organization. He attended a recent camp in Portsmouth, Va., for draft-eligible players and has plans to attend another in Chicago.

TONIGHT

vs. Sacramento, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 57-24, Kings 61-20.

Record vs. Kings--2-1.

Update--The Lakers are 32-5 against the Kings in Los Angeles, 1-0 this season, by 93-85 on Nov. 18. The Kings have won nine consecutive road games. The Lakers have won 14 in a row at Staples Center.