Webber a tough player to reach

Free-agent forward Chris Webber has denied reports that he has decided to sign with the Detroit Pistons, and the Lakers have been trying to keep the lines of communication open, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

But there has been no response from the other end of that line.

“We won’t know anything until we speak to his agent [Aaron Goodwin], if he ever returns our calls,” Jackson said.

“He must be awfully busy, or he only has one cellphone. In this day and age, most agents have three phones.”

Webber, who was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, can’t officially sign with another team until Monday.

Goodwin, who also represents Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, the Lakers’ opponent Friday night at Staples Center, often attends Lakers games but did not come Friday.

Speaking of the Lakers, Goodwin told The Times on Thursday, “They are definitely a team that Chris is considering.... Chris loves Los Angeles.”

The Lakers didn’t put much stock in those comments, according to one source.

Would Webber need the assurance of being a starter before agreeing to put on the purple and gold?

“I think if a player can contribute, that’s all he wants to know,” Jackson said. “He wants to know he can help the team win and be a part of that. Every player that comes to us, either as a free agent or we draft, has to have that feeling.”

Although Webber would be a nice addition, particularly with Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown out because of injuries, Jackson made it clear the Lakers won’t be overly aggressive in their pursuit.

“We’re just sitting and watching the drama unfold,” Jackson said.

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When the Houston Rockets’ Dikembe Mutombo recorded the 3,190th blocked shot of his career Wednesday night against the Lakers, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second on the all-time list behind Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830), Mutombo gave Abdul-Jabbar credit for inspiring him.

When informed of Mutombo’s remarks Friday night, Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, said, “How come I didn’t inspire him to learn how to shoot?”

Mutombo, in his 17th season, is known for his rebounding and defense, but has averaged 10.4 points a game.

Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 years, but blocked shots weren’t tallied by the league in his first four seasons.

But, as he was quick to point out, if blocked shots had been counted since the league began, the Boston Celtics’ Bill Russell would be the all-time leader.

“I remember watching games where he must have had 10 or 11 blocks,” Abdul-Jabbar said.

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steve.springer@latimes.com