Will Jackson Return (Their Calls)?

While Phil Jackson slowly gravitated toward returning to cellphone range, the Lakers moved forward Thursday, playing the San Antonio Spurs, pondering a possible future with Jackson and finishing up details with former coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

Tomjanovich, who signed a five-year, $30-million deal, will receive about $9 million for coaching 41 games and serving as a consultant or scout through the 2006-07 season. Tomjanovich, who resigned Wednesday and cited health concerns that came with the stress of the job, will also be flown to Hawaii with his wife, Sophie, for a vacation, with Laker owner Jerry Buss picking up the tab.

Jackson, doing some vacationing of his own on an island off the shore of Australia, was expected to return today to the western Australia mainland, where he could conceivably be in communication with whomever he wished, perhaps even Laker officials.

The Lakers are open to discussing a future with Jackson, although it could get expensive: He asked for a two-year, $25-million contract extension last year. He and the Lakers ultimately parted ways in June, after five years and three championships.

With current Coach Frank Hamblen already on the record endorsing Jackson for the job, and Kobe Bryant on the record agreeing to “roll with it,” other Lakers said they would embrace the return of Jackson.

“I’m excited to be playing for Frank, but if they’re going to get someone else, I would love it to be Coach Jackson,” forward Luke Walton said. “I just like his ideas on how the game’s supposed to be played, the flow of it. I was only with him for one year and I learned so much about the game. I would love to have learned more from him.”

Jackson is said to like the potential of Lamar Odom, and he likes developing players Chris Mihm and Caron Butler.

“He’s a great coach,” Odom said. “I would like to have him here. Why not?”

Jackson favors taller, lankier guards for the triangle offense, players such as Ron Harper, Brian Shaw and, obviously, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

Laker point guard Chucky Atkins has played for so-called player’s coaches such as Doc Rivers and strict coaches such as Rick Carlisle, but he’s not sure what to expect if Jackson and the Lakers were to reunite.

Atkins, listed at 5 feet 11, doesn’t fit Jackson’s typical prototype, although Jackson managed to survive with smallish guards Derek Fisher, Steve Kerr and John Paxson.

“No worries, no stress,” said Atkins, who has been with four teams in his six-year career. “If I have to be moved, then I have to be moved. If that’s what he likes, I’m not those guys. It’s not my decision.”

Among other developments Thursday:

* Miami Heat President Pat Riley said he would not be interested in coaching the Lakers ... or any team.

“I don’t want to coach anymore,” Riley, who coached the Lakers for nine seasons, told the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. “I don’t need to belabor it. I love where I’m at. I love what I’m doing. I’ve got a contending team.”

* Miami center Shaquille O’Neal was not surprised to hear of a possible reunion between Jackson and the Lakers.

“He knows the system,” O’Neal said. “He has a relationship with the system.”

O’Neal has an opt-out clause in his contract but said he would not return to the Lakers, even if Jackson did. O’Neal has referred to the franchise acrimoniously since being traded in July, but he has lauded the Heat and team owner Micky Arison.

“I wouldn’t go back there, even if Micky sold this team and bought that team,” O’Neal said. “I still wouldn’t go back there and play with them people. I’m happy where I’m at.”

* On Tuesday, sources told The Times that Bryant was asked if he approved of Jackson during a meeting that night with Kupchak and Buss. On Wednesday, Bryant denied being asked about Jackson, and on Thursday, he vehemently denied it.

“Didn’t happen,” he said. “Ask Mitch.”

Kupchak initially would not verify Bryant’s denial and said, “What was talked about in that meeting will remain between myself and whoever was in that meeting.”

Later, Kupchak said, “We did not ask for his approval.”

When asked if Jackson’s name was mentioned at the meeting, Kupchak said, “That doesn’t matter.”

* The Lakers could bring back Jackson, but Karl Malone’s agent said it would not bring back Malone.

“He didn’t have a problem with the coach,” Dwight Manley said. “He wishes the best for Phil.”