Rodman Reportedly Ready to Sign, Maybe Today

Dennis Rodman met with Laker owner Jerry Buss on Wednesday night, a Laker spokesman confirmed Thursday, and indications are that the flamboyant forward could finally sign with the team today.

Rodman, who has won the last seven rebounding titles, apparently took at least a week to reconcile himself to the Lakers’ offer--as a team over the cap, the most they could offer was a $1-million salary, pro-rated to $524,400 for the games lost because of the lockout and the eight games he has already missed.

The Chicago Sun-Times quoted Rodman in Thursday’s editions saying that he was ready to sign.

“Let’s do it,� Rodman said. “The media has been saying, ‘Dennis Rodman is broke, over the hill not happy and can’t play any more.’ But what else is new? People have always been counting Dennis Rodman out and telling lies.�

The paper quoted his sister, Debra, who reportedly negotiated the deal in place of his agents at International Creative Management, saying that her brother would soon be a Laker, but probably would not be in uniform tonight.

*

Forward Robert Horry was re-examined Thursday by doctors, who could not precisely determine what is causing continued heartbeat irregularities, the team said.

Horry, who said he was feeling better, definitely will sit out tonight, will not accompany the team on its upcoming three-game trip, and will be re-evaluated after undergoing further tests Monday, the Lakers said.

The doctors continue to believe that the irregular heartbeats were probably caused by his recent viral infection, the team said.

Only eight players practiced Thursday, just as the Lakers are preparing for a stretch of six games in eight days that includes games Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Seattle, Denver and Vancouver.

Rookie Sam Jacobson was put on the injured list because of a broken finger, and fellow rookie Tyronn Lue, who has back spasms, was held out of practice and targeted to join Jacobson by 3 p.m. today--when rosters must be trimmed from 14 to 12.

vs. San Antonio,

7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 5-3, Spurs 4-4.

* Record vs. Spurs--1-0.

* Update--Shaquille O’Neal had a game-high 26 points and 13 rebounds as the Lakers ran their winning streak to five over the Spurs with last week’s 80-75 victory.

* Tickets--Sold out.