No Changes on the Horizon

There are six weeks before rosters must be finalized for the playoffs, six weeks for Horace Grant to change his mind, but for now the Lakers seem ready to let the NBA’s new free agents lie.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak left Thursday for a week and a half of scouting in Europe, having mulled the benefits of the likes of Bimbo Coles, Tyrone Hill, Chris Whitney and the rest, and by all appearances has chosen to stay the course.

Shaquille O’Neal appears to be gaining on his toe and knee recovery, Samaki Walker has returned from his sprained ankle, and Mark Madsen is providing a push from the bench. And, while Phil Jackson has spoken often of the need for bench help, it seems he will not get his wish.

Then again, as one team official said, “There are phones in Europe.”

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Jim Cleamons has pushed this kind of job around before, winning 28 of 100 games with the melting-down Dallas Mavericks of the mid-’90s, back when Mark Cuban was still broke.

Six years later, his name comes up when head coaching jobs open, in the past couple of years in difficult situations with little room for hope, such as Cleveland.

More often than not, he appreciates the interest but shakes his head.

“I’m hopeful when the right time comes I’ll get another opportunity,” he said, adding that he probably would not chase it. “I didn’t seek the first job and I won’t seek out the second.

“I love working for Phil ... I’m not looking to move on.”

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Cleamons said he hopes Jackson is back for Monday’s practice. It will have been a week since he had a kidney stone removed.... Shoe industry insiders claim Nike is a few details from announcing its endorsement deal with Kobe Bryant.... The Lakers don’t play again until Wednesday night, when the Indiana Pacers come to Staples Center.