Hypothetically, Jackson might be interested in Webber

HOUSTON — Aaron Goodwin figures to be a busy man for a while.

The agent has figured prominently in the buying out of Chris Webber’s contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, meaning a new home will need to be found for an aging forward who averaged 11 points and 8.3 rebounds in 18 games this season.

With Kwame Brown, Lamar Odom and Chris Mihm sidelined by injuries, the Lakers are short in the frontcourt, making them natural inquirers for Webber’s services.

A team source acknowledged the situation was “intriguing,” but other teams could also feel the same way about Webber, including Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit and Miami.

Coach Phil Jackson did not publicly acknowledge interest in the 14-year veteran, but you could almost see him nodding his head as he spoke in a series of theoreticals.

“In a hypothetical case like this, I’ll tell you that we would have to do our research on a player, look at the games that he had played in, analyze the tapes to see what it looks like physically, all that type of stuff before we would even consider a player,” he said. “Sometimes when we are in the course of looking at individuals around the league, two or three of our assistant coaches and one of the scouting staff will take a couple tapes home, and I’ll look at them, and we’ll confer with each other.”

Webber has never played a full NBA season and has been slowed in recent seasons because of knee issues. His game has been shortened to jump shots and only occasional forays to the hoop.

The Lakers are over the salary cap and have already used their mid-level exception to sign Vladimir Radmanovic, meaning they could offer Webber about $1.2 million, the minimum for a player with his experience.

Webber, who turns 34 in March, was due to make $20.7 million this season and $22.3 million next season. He reportedly is seeking a multi-year deal after getting bought out, which could make it difficult for the Lakers, who will be several million over a to-be-determined salary cap for next season.

The Lakers would have to waive a player to sign Webber, who cannot be acquired until Monday at the earliest, the day he probably will clear waivers.

With the Feb. 22 trade deadline approaching, Jackson didn’t exactly say the Lakers would stand pat.

“You always feel like you can be helped in some level or another,” he said. “I think there’s one team we left intact after we won 72 games in the ‘95-’96 season.... Most teams will always look to improve themselves. When you talk about power forwards, it’s pretty obvious that we’re lacking Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown. We’re really short-handed in that area.”

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