Nothing is guaranteed except the roster of 15

By Mike Bresnahan

Oct. 26, 2006 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Phil Jackson’s least favorite time is arriving.

He agonizes over roster cuts every year, even devoting extensive space to the concept in one of his books, detailing how hard it was to cut Jannero Pargo a few years back.

The Lakers currently have 18 players on their roster, three more than the league allows. They must pare down to 15 by Monday afternoon, although they are expected to start trimming today despite their influx of injuries. Any players kept after today begin drawing pro-rated portions of their salaries, even if their contracts are not guaranteed.

The Lakers have three non-guaranteed players on their roster: rookie J.R. Pinnock and second-year players Devin Green and Von Wafer.

“They’re three young players that have promise and it’s obvious we can’t keep them all,” General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. “Regardless of what happens, they all have a future in pro basketball. Some guys you bring to camp, they’re what we call camp fodder to fill out your roster. These guys are legitimate NBA prospects.”

Pinnock, a second-round selection from George Washington, shot well at the start of training camp, but it hasn’t translated to games. Wafer, a second-round pick last season from Florida State, has been an erratic shooter and has been hobbled by a heel injury.

Green beat long odds last season to make the roster as an undrafted rookie from Hampton, but the team will not come close to carrying four rookies again after doing it last season. Jordan Farmar is the only rookie with a guaranteed contract.

“It’s the toughest part of the job to inform players that the opportunity that they’ve worked long and hard for has to come to an end,” Kupchak said. “We always try to buffer it by indicating it’s not the end of the road, particularly if you’re a young player and you continue to work on your game. It’s the toughest part of what I do, for sure.”

Veteran guard Aaron McKie and his guaranteed $2.5-million salary will stay, even though he played only 14 games last season because of a quadriceps tendon injury. McKie was experiencing a good training camp until injuring his back last week.

Jackson, who spoke to the media Tuesday for the first time since undergoing hip replacement surgery, did not talk to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

For a fifth consecutive year, Kobe Bryant received the most votes when the league’s 30 general managers were asked which player they would want taking a shot with the game on the line. A survey released Wednesday by NBA.com indicated 74% selected Bryant.

Bryant was not, however, among the top three vote-getters for which player would win this season’s most-valuable-player award. LeBron James received 39% of the vote, Dwyane Wade received 29% and Dirk Nowitzki received 18%. Bryant was listed in an “others” category, along with Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.

The Phoenix Suns were picked by 89% of general managers to win the Pacific Division. The San Antonio Spurs were the most popular choice to win the NBA title.

Devean George is adjusting to a new city, a new contract and a new life.

Not to mention a new offense.

The former Lakers forward is enjoying his new surroundings as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, but their wide-open offense is vastly different from the hemmed-in sides of the triangle.

“I like my role here, like it a lot,” George told the Dallas Morning News. “But I’m still struggling in breaking some of my old habits. I didn’t really realize how much I was programmed.”

George, who signed a two-year, $4.2-million deal with Dallas, used to lurk around the perimeter for spot-up jump shots. Now he’s in a system with more player and ball movement.

“It’s crazy how programmed I was,” George said. “I think everything is totally opposite from what I’m used to doing. But it’ll work its way through.”

George averaged six points in seven seasons with the Lakers.

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