Horry Activated, Jacobson Released

Sam Jacobson, the second-year guard who is still owed a guaranteed $1.2 million from the Lakers, was released Friday to make room for the activation of forward Robert Horry from the injured list.

According to several sources, the Lakers asked Jacobson, who had played a team-low 18 minutes this season, if he would accept being put on the injured list.

But the 1998 No. 1 draft pick from Minnesota declined, saying he would rather be waived.

“To benefit him and in preference to some of the wishes that he and his people had, they’d rather have been waived and moved on, maybe another situation might be better for him,� Coach Phil Jackson said.

Jacobson was being used as the team’s fifth guard, and with Kobe Bryant due back by the end of this month, Jacobson’s prospects were not looking bright.

“What I saw: He wasn’t growing very fast in our system,� Jackson said. “He had the kind of game and body that could possibly benefit from playing the type of ball we play.�

Meanwhile, Jackson said that he understands why Horry continues to speak publicly of the recurring pain in his left knee, even if he isn’t totally assured that Horry is ready to go full tilt.

“No, I’m not any more confident,� Jackson said. “But what I realize is that Robert is kind of resigned to what he is dealing with. . . . He’s got his toe in the water, he hasn’t jumped in all the way.�

Jackson said Horry could probably play up to 20 minutes right away, and Horry said that he and Jackson are back on the same page about his recovery.

“I think he finally got some good open lines of communication,� Horry said with a smile of Jackson.

“I think I actually feel a little bit better. Any time you get rest, it can’t be wrong.�

Is there still the possibility of surgery?

“I don’t think so,� Horry said. “Unless the same thing happens, where the same pain comes back. Then we might have to. I hope not.�