Webber decision pending

Chris Webber and Phil Jackson finally talked, but there are no answers to where the free agent will end up.

Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Orlando and the Lakers are all possible destinations for the 33-year-old forward, with a final answer expected early this week, perhaps even today.

“It was a good conversation both ways,” Jackson said of his Saturday night chat with Webber. “He’s got a decision to make. He didn’t give me any indication. I just told him that he could help us

In other words, Webber wants to be a starter, or get as many minutes off the bench as a typical starter, and the Lakers couldn’t guarantee it. Lamar Odom is expected back before the end of the month, and Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown and Ronny Turiaf make the center position fairly crowded, even though Brown is sidelined because of a severely sprained ankle. Webber, at 6 feet 10, could get some playing time at center for the Lakers.

Still, Jackson was complimentary of Webber.

“He’s got the skills to fit in our offense,” he said. “He’s got the ability. He can pass, shoot and rebound.”

Webber averaged 11 points, 8.3 rebounds and 30.2 minutes a game for Philadelphia in 18 games this season. The 76ers bought out his contract and waived him Thursday. He was scheduled to make a combined $43 million this season and next season.

The Lakers’ players didn’t seem overly concerned with what happens to Webber.

“I think we’re good where we’re at right now,” forward Luke Walton said. “We’ve got injuries, but as soon as we get those guys back and if we can keep growing as a team, I think we have a legitimate shot at doing some damage in the playoffs with the guys we have right now.”

Then pausing a beat, he added, “Hopefully, if he comes here, they don’t cut me or trade me away.”

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Odom said he was about a week and a half from returning after a sprained ligament in his right knee has kept him sidelined since Dec. 12.

Jackson recently said he hoped Odom would be back in time for the Lakers’ eight-game trip that begins Jan. 30 in New York.

“Hopefully, I can beat his timeline,” Odom said.

TONIGHT

vs. Miami, 7, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 24-13, Heat 17-19.

Record vs. Heat -- 0-1.

Update -- The Lakers let Dwyane Wade carve them up for 40 points and 11 assists in a 101-85 loss in Miami on Christmas Day. The Lakers never led, couldn’t stop the Heat in numerous screen-and-roll situations and shot poorly, making only five of 23 (21.7%) attempts from three-point range.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com