It's Still Not a Done Deal to Van Exel

By SCOTT HOWARD-COOPER

June 26, 1998 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Thursday brought some perspective for Nick Van Exel, but not a definitive answer.

He continues to consider whether to report to the Denver Nuggets, even while officials with his new team sounded as if it was a foregone conclusion he would be there by the Monday deadline. This came as former his former college coach, Bob Huggins, and fellow Cincinnati product and new teammate Danny Fortson tried to reach Van Exel to campaign on behalf of Denver.

Thursday also brought perspective for the Lakers, as Executive Vice President Jerry West was given the chance to take a breath after the hectic hours the day before.

The Lakers will be better, he said. “For sure.”

The Lakers will be getting along better, he said. “We think this will help our chemistry.”

The danger of trading an all-star point guard, even one with moods as streaky and dramatic as his shooting, even one with delicate knees, has not come alone, though. The events of Wednesday--two trades, three draft picks, six players either coming or going--means one thing for the team that just won 61 games and reached the Western Conference finals.

They’re not the same team that just won 61 games and reached the Western Conference finals.

And they also may not be done. Rick Fox could leave as a free agent, a good possibility. Elden Campbell could get traded when the labor dispute ends and the salary cap is adjusted. Counting Shea Seals, whom they want back for training camp at the very least, but not counting Jon Barry, a likely free-agent departure, the presence of six guards increases the chances that someone gets dealt, though definitely not Kobe Bryant and almost certainly not Eddie Jones.

Talk about running the transition game. The Lakers as they now stand, before any other swaps, could have two new full-time starters next season. By the time training camp comes in October, if it comes in October, half the roster could be newcomers, depending on whatever moves are forthcoming.

It will all have started with Wednesday, a span of a couple of hours that may have invited risk by trading Van Exel, but also, strangely, brings a sense of security and comfort to the Lakers. At the very least, it allows them the freedom to pursue other moves.

Want to trade Campbell but are unable to get another big man in return? The Nugget trade brought Tony Battie, an athletic and skilled power forward whose struggles with motivation are no worse than Campbell’s. The Lakers don’t need him to be the foundation for the future they did in Denver, only a solid backup for now.

Fox leaves? Bryant, continuing to grow, could end up at small forward, and second-round pick Ruben Patterson, a tremendous worker and accomplished defender, could play behind him. And there’s always Robert Horry for the bigger matchups.

Bryant goes full time to the frontcourt? Tyronn Lue, the speedy Nebraska product the Lakers liked an awful lot anyway and then came to them via Denver, gets second-string minutes at point guard. Derek Fisher gets the chance to start without all the questions about whether Van Exel should give up his dream of winning sixth man of the year and take his old job back.

“I don’t want to say anything derogatory about him,” West said of Van Exel, “but we were 29-7 with Derek starting [during the regular season]. Derek Fisher is not as good as him. But Derek Fisher is steadier than Nick and not as volatile.”

The actual number of options are even greater, versatility being a strength. Of course, it comes with the potential pratfalls of inexperience, youth being a weakness.

Center--Shaquille O’Neal will be back, but Campbell’s future is unknown. The idea of paying $7 million a season for someone in and out of a prominent role has gotten very old for owner Jerry Buss. Sean Rooks likely becomes the backup or a trade candidate.

Power forward--Power logjam.

Robert Horry is the incumbent. Corie Blount will have his 1998-99 option picked up any day. Campbell plays here too. Mario Bennett is a free agent, but one the Lakers would have a desire to keep to see where the continued development leads. All Battie’s potential did not disappear in the season in which he went from being a lottery pick to being called El Busto by future Nugget General Manager Dan Issel, but he still needs to bulk up and light a fire.

Small forward--Bryant has to start somewhere next season, and Jones doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. If Fox leaves, this is a likely spot for Bryant, unless he doesn’t stop growing until, well, O’Neal becomes the new power forward. Patterson will be a backup. And this is still probably Horry’s best position.

Shooting guard--Jones. This could turn out to be where Bryant spends the least of his time. Sam Jacobson, the first-round pick, can play above the rim, shoot from the outside, post up, defend here and some small forwards, and handle the ball well enough.

Point guard--This is the only place Fisher and Lue can play. Of course, this could also turn out to be the place Bryant will play.

“It’s not point guard,” Coach Del Harris said, keeping his options open. “It’ll be guard there, with Eddie. They’ve done it before. Whoever ends up with the ball will initiate the play. But we don’t have to play tomorrow.”

Good thing. There’s still so much for the Lakers to sort out.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

POINT OF NO RETURN

Closing the book on Nick Van Exel’s Laker career:

Seasons: 5

Games: 378

Scoring Avg.: 14.9

Assists Avg.: 7.3

FG%: .410

3-PT. FG%: .364

FT%: .795

* MEET THE NEW CLIPPER: C13