A Laker Makeover Could Be in the Mail

The Lakers’ negotiations with Karl Malone have gone so well that they are considering the possibility they could sign him and still offer their full mid-level exception to Gary Payton.

Sources with knowledge of conversations between Malone and General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Malone expressed a desire to sign with the Lakers as well as an appreciation for their wish for a guard, namely Payton.

Malone, it appears, has made the Lakers the perfect offer: his services for as low as the veteran’s minimum exception ($1.5 million for the first year), or whatever rate they agree would be necessary to top off their roster with Payton. It is possible the offer is dependent on the mid-level money going to Payton. If not, the Lakers could split the mid-level to improve their depth in the backcourt and sign another front-court player, perhaps Robert Horry, or use the entire mid-level exception for Malone. The Lakers also could lose Malone if Payton declines their offer.

In the process, Malone has convinced the Lakers that his only agenda, in what would be his 19th NBA season, would be to win the championship that eluded him in Utah.

It would be an extraordinary gesture by a 39-year-old player still skilled enough to have been selected to last year’s All-Star game and next year’s Olympic team. Last season, Malone averaged at least 20 points for the 17th consecutive season and was the only power forward endorsed by Horry on the day Horry’s option was not exercised.

Malone, who as a free agent also has drawn interest from the San Antonio Spurs, is still well regarded as a rebounder and defender, enough that Shaquille O’Neal already has given his blessing to any deal that would bring in Malone.

Payton is expected to sit down with Kupchak sometime this holiday weekend, perhaps today. He earned $12.6 million last season, which he split between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Milwaukee Bucks, and in the open market or in a sign-and-trade deal could fetch nearly three times the $4.7 million or so the Lakers have available for their mid-level exception.

As it stands, Malone is waiting on the Lakers, who are waiting on Payton.

The Lakers are hopeful that a multi-year contract taking Payton close to his 40th birthday, and the chance to play beside O’Neal, Malone and Kobe Bryant -- four probable Hall of Famers in the same starting lineup -- would be enough to convince him to pass up millions.

In the meantime, power forwards Juwan Howard and P.J. Brown continued to shop the NBA, for the moment with the Lakers intent on coming to an agreement with Malone. One possible snag: owner Jerry Buss is in Europe and Coach Phil Jackson is on a motorcycle, on his way to North Dakota for his 40th high school reunion, and so the ever-changing details of negotiations are taking time to run through the organization.

Teams may not sign free agents until July 16. Handshake agreements can be reached, however.

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The Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons have made the strongest runs at free agent Scottie Pippen. Thus far, the Lakers are not heavily involved, though that could change if Payton’s interest is cool.... If Payton declines their offer and they decide Pippen’s health and age are too big a risk, the Lakers probably would turn to Tyronn Lue.