Will Pippen Become Third Side of Triangle?

The Lakers became no better at the trading deadline, which leaves a busy summer, which leaves, perhaps, Scottie Pippen.

Pippen, who will turn 38 just before camp opens next season, will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. After four seasons in Portland, Pippen would appear to have eyes for Los Angeles, as do the Lakers -- and Phil Jackson -- for him.

“Obviously, we know what his status is,” said Jackson, who coached Pippen through six championship seasons in Chicago. “When that time comes we’ll certainly talk about it, because we know he’d fit well.”

The NBA has strict rules against tampering, and Jackson seemed to know he’d brushed up against them. After his statement, he grinned slightly and said, “Is that good enough for you?”

Pippen, too, was easily swept into the conversation.

“First things first, I’d rather stay where I’m at,” Pippen said before Friday night’s game at Staples Center. “But, Phil Jackson is definitely my next option in line. I’m not afraid to say it. It’s very obvious I have a relationship with Phil and Tex [Winter] and the trainer [Chip Schaefer] and all that. But, at the end of the day, I want to be in Portland. It doesn’t always happen that way. Look at Gary Payton. Look at myself in Chicago. You don’t always get what you want. I’ll just have to wait and see when that time comes.”

There is likely to be a line of players vying for the Lakers’ mid-level exception, last summer worth about $4.5 million, which the team used as the starting point for a four-year deal for Devean George. Pippen has most often been mentioned in league circles, particularly as he has recovered from last season’s knee surgery and become a critical element in Portland’s resurgence.

Back under Jackson, whose contract runs through next season, Pippen would return to the system he knows so well and, perhaps, make a run at a title beside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, rather than face postseason elimination by them.

Those who know Pippen believe the only way he’d stay in Portland is if the Trail Blazers won a title and he believed that organization was in better shape than the Lakers.

Pippen laughed. “Maybe I’ll retire,” he said.

*

On that subject, Pippen said he’d spoken recently to friend and former teammate Horace Grant and found that Grant sounded very happy in retirement.

The Lakers would like to acquire help for O’Neal and/or backcourt depth.

*

*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

It’s His Forte

*--* Kobe Bryant, 2002-03 8 Kobe Bryant extended his streak of scoring 40 points or more to eight games with his 40-point performance Friday night against Portland. A list of players with the most consecutive games of scoring 40 or more: Player, Season No Wilt Chamberlain, 1961-62 14 Wilt Chamberlain, 1961-62 14 Wilt Chamberlain, 1962-63 11 Michael Jordan, 1986-87 9

*--*