Spurs Coveting Bryant?

A free, unencumbered, really free Kobe Bryant would draw a crowd of NBA general managers come July 1; the speculation already is lined up around the block.

Add the San Antonio Spurs, who could clear perhaps $12 million in salary-cap space next summer, to the potential suitors, assuming Bryant opts out of his Laker contract -- as he says he will -- and then goes franchise hunting.

A San Antonio Express News columnist, under a front-page tease that said, the “Spurs want Kobe,” outlined the chain of events that could lead the Spurs to sign Bryant. The Clippers, Memphis, Miami and Chicago, among others, are believed to have the interest, cap room or trade potential to try to land Bryant, assuming he’d give any of them a sniff as a free agent.

A few people close to Bryant predict some scenario will arise -- in free agency or by trade -- that would have Bryant play for the New York Knicks, which would give Bryant his large market and his on-court freedom.

According to a report in Orlando, Magic management has said it would not consider trading for or signing Bryant because of lingering character doubts.

Laker owner Jerry Buss said Sunday that he would not trade Bryant and that he believed Bryant would re-sign with the club, declarations that have not slowed the speculation even slightly.

After Thursday’s shoot-around, Bryant smiled at the mention of the Spurs’ interest.

“I saw that this morning in the paper,” he said. “It was interesting. I don’t really have any comment about it, either way. I don’t really think about that stuff till the end of the season.”

Assuming his legal difficulties have been settled, Bryant would be the most attractive free agent in a field that would include Antonio McDyess, Steve Nash and Rasheed Wallace.

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A few days short of six months since his ankle surgery, Rick Fox on Wednesday played a half-court game of four-on-four and on Thursday participated in some pregame shooting drills for the second time this week.

He said he does not have a goal to return, but it could be Christmas. The process has been slow for Fox, whose surgery was involved, which meant a slow recovery and more than a few dark days.

Still, Fox has been an upbeat presence around the Lakers, who could always use some of that.

“I just seem to be turning some corner,” Fox said. “I’m doing basketball things, which should lead me to contribute to this team this year, somewhere. That’s where I vacillate, to what level or at all or if I can get back to where I’ve been.

“Honestly, I’ve had some [bad] seasons in this league on some teams that have been pretty bad.... This is the first time the frustration has been tied to my own inability to be out there.”

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Shaquille O’Neal averaged 12.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots through four games. It’s a very small sample, but if it held up they would be his best rebounding numbers in three years and his most blocks in four.

“He’s in good shape,” Coach Phil Jackson said, “been playing well, reminiscent of when I first got there four years ago. [He’s] been very active going after the ball.”