Worthy Agrees to New Deal

James Worthy said Thursday night that he and the Lakers have finally agreed on the long-running renegotiation of his contract.

“I’m agreed,” Worthy said. “It’s just a matter of structuring it.”

Worthy is under contract for three more seasons and the Lakers hold a one-year option. He is earning $1.7 million this season.

Worthy said one more season has been added--with a balloon payment. It is expected to raise the overall average of his contract at least to the level of Sam Perkins’ $3.2 million and Magic Johnson’s $3.1 million.

“They (Lakers) did what they could under the salary cap,” Worthy said. “I’m not sure what (Portland’s) Clyde Drexler did, but it’s similar to that.”

The Trail Blazers gave Drexler a $7-million salary for the last year of his new contract, raising his overall average to $2.5 million.

“I think for his sake, the team’s sake and everybody’s, it’s great,” Johnson said. “For both parties, for James and for the Lakers.”

Worthy was promised renegotiation when Perkins was signed last summer. However, talks dragged and Worthy, concerned he was being set up for a trade, spoke out two weeks ago. He then met with Laker owner Jerry Buss and the talks got back on track.

The Lakers, however, were non-committal.

“We don’t announce anything until it’s done,” said Buss’ spokesman, Bob Steiner. “We’re not announcing anything.”