Laker Rivals Feel Heat of Summer

So much for that San Antonio Spurs’ dynasty.

The tough went shopping, as expected, but that was the only thing that turned out the way it was supposed to in 15 days of negotiations and creative messing with each other. Now as the free-agent period opens, a new colossus rises from the plain and it isn’t the one people thought it would be.

The Lakers were going to get someone good with their $4.9-million exception. On the other hand, they needed help at several positions, which was why Coach Phil Jackson went to the Chicago pre-draft camp for the first time, looking for the rare rookie who might play for him right away.

Jackson had hoped Scottie Pippen might come for their next-biggest exception, $1.5 million, but now it was understood that wouldn’t happen. Now the Lakers hoped to use that money for a player such as Lucious Harris.

Meanwhile, the champion Spurs, with what would become $17 million worth of cap space, were torn. Should they get the game’s best point guard, Jason Kidd, or one of its best young big men, Jermaine O’Neal? How about Kidd and a veteran such as Karl Malone?

Then there were the East champion New Jersey Nets, who seemed about to be reduced to their constituent parts.

But that’s not what happened.

In a string of surprises, Malone told the Lakers he’d take the $1.5 million if they could get Gary Payton, Payton agreed to come, Kidd opted to stay in New Jersey and O’Neal decided to remain in Indiana.

With the big guys off the board, there was a scramble for whoever was left. Now if you believe the principals -- and nothing is official until they sign -- only Gilbert Arenas, among the blue-chip prospects, remains unaccounted for.

Here’s how it looks:

Winners

Lakers -- Getting Malone and Payton has the league reeling. The Spurs jumped in on Malone, pursuing him through the weekend -- after he announced his decision -- with an offer in the $7-million range for three seasons. Mailman said no, thanks. Everyone’s worst nightmare is still on track.

New Jersey -- The Nets are getting Kidd back, plus Alonzo Mourning. Whether they wind up with Byron Scott, who just coached them to two NBA Finals, is another question.

Insiders said all along that Joumana Kidd, who had learned to love New Jersey where her TV career flourished, not Jason, would make this call and that’s what it looks like.

With reports of Jason’s dissatisfaction with Scott popping up in the press, the Kidds visited San Antonio, where Jason expressed delight with everything. But, rather than go on to Dallas and Denver, as planned, they returned to New Jersey where Jason began talking to the Nets and the franchise really hit the fan.

The New York Post and Bergen Record reported Jason said he’d stay if Scott was fired. This was denied by all. However, team President Rod Thorn, who’d said he wanted to sign Scott to an extension, has now put him on hold.

Kidd got the Nets to go four guaranteed years at $22 million for Mourning, who missed last season and played sporadically in 2001-2002 because of his kidney disease. With another big man in tow, Kidd announced he would stay.

With one season left on his contract, Scott is hanging by a thread, with barely camouflaged team officials ripping him, as in this complaint by an unnamed “member of the Nets organization” to the Newark Star-Ledger:

“All year, we’ve waited for [the press] to ask Byron, ‘What is hard work?’ Because that’s what everyone talks about around here. What does Byron consider hard work? What will he say? That he played golf in the afternoon, got to pick the movie on his night off and had to pick out a suit for the game?

“People wrote that he’s a genius because of what he’s done, because he allowed his assistants to do their jobs. Give me a break: He came in at 6:15 and crossed his arms for 48 minutes.”

The New York Times reported that Scott’s agent was told there would be no extension at this time.

Said the embattled Scott: “I don’t like ducks. I don’t eat duck. I’m not a lame duck.”

He’s been in better shape, though.

Minnesota -- The Timberwolves got their 1,000th bad break in a row when Rasho Nesterovic said he would sign with San Antonio, then struck it rich, picking up Michael Olowokandi, one of the great bargains ever.

Indiana -- The Pacers locked up their franchise player, O’Neal. If they keep Brad Miller and Reggie Miller, they’re set.

New Orleans -- The Hornets are keeping widely coveted P.J. Brown but will have to give the 33-year-old power forward four years at $7 million per.

Orlando -- The Magic beat the crowd to second-tier bargain Juwan Howard, no superstar but priced right at $4.9 million per.

Denver -- Kiki Vandeweghe made goo-goo eyes for months at Arenas but wouldn’t go the $8 million to $9 million Gilbert wanted. Vandeweghe then went to Plan B, worried he’d get blanked if he didn’t act fast. Carmelo Anthony and Andre Miller don’t make the Nuggets contenders, but their laughingstock days are over.

Losers

San Antonio -- The Spurs wanted Kidd, Malone, P.J. Brown and Elton Brand but went to Plan E, Nesterovic. They have an “8-8” strategy that says they just need as many points and rebounds as David Robinson gave them last season. Of course, after the Lakers’ moves, the old standards may no longer apply.

Dallas -- Hyperactive owner Mark Cuban thought he had a live one, appearing on Mourning’s doorstep at midnight June 30. Cuban put in an offer on Malone too.

Sacramento -- The Kings called Malone too, when they heard he was Laker-bound. Now they have to deal with the rejuvenated Lakers.

Utah -- If the Clippers match on Corey Maggette, the best Jazz player will be Andrei Kirilenko. Arenas is interested, but they’re worried he’s using them. In any case, they’re over.

Golden State -- If Arenas leaves, they’re all but starting over.

Miami -- The Heat came up with $11 million when Anthony Carter failed to renew his $4.1-million contract, but Pat Riley has been curiously passive. He can sign Arenas but hasn’t shown much interest in him or anyone else.

Portland -- In a new austerity kick after losing $100 million, the Trail Blazers are letting go of Pippen, who held their team together. Next season, they’ll lose $80 million while their players really have at each other.

Clippers -- They’re in a new building in paradise, with a loaded roster, $31 million worth of cap room and profits expected to approach $50 million for the three seasons between 2001 and 2004, but free agency still only cuts one way in Clipperdom.

Losing Andre Miller would be OK, but losing Olowokandi means they’re no longer one of the biggest teams. If either Maggette or Eric Piatkowski leaves, they’ll no longer be one of the deepest, either.

Donald T. Sterling actually offered $78 million over six seasons to keep Brand, topping all bidders. However, the max is $101 million over seven, so even if this was a giant step for Sterling, Brand still could wake up on the wrong side of the bed one morning, decide to sign the one-year qualifying offer and split next summer.