Malone Is Not Ready to Play
from http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-malone15sep15,1
,1417966.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers
Unsigned forward hasn't recovered from knee surgery. The Lakers are saving a
roster spot for him, but others are interested.
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
Karl Malone has not fully recovered from off-season knee surgery and is
expected to sit out part of the exhibition season, possibly more, if he decides
to come back for a 20th NBA season.
Malone, 41, a free-agent forward who played for the Lakers last season, is
being courted by several teams. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee
June 29, two weeks after the Lakers lost in the NBA Finals at Detroit. He has
spent most of his time since recovering at his Arkansas ranch and has not met
with any teams.
"He is working out and all signs are pointing to a 100% recovery, but that is
still many months away," said Malone's agent, Dwight Manley. "There is no
timetable."
In June, Malone's personal orthopedist, Ralph Venuto, found a small tear in
the cartilage of Malone's knee and performed a procedure during which
microscopic holes were drilled in the cartilage to promote blood flow and
healing. Recovery times vary, but New Jersey Net guard Jason Kidd had the
same surgery on his knee in July and is not expected back until December.
"Our understanding is that Karl's not 100% at this time," Laker spokesman John
Black said. "We don't know when he will be."
Most teams, including the Lakers, begin training camp Oct. 4, but they would
be willing to make room for Malone later. The Lakers begin the regular season
Nov. 2 against Denver.
Despite Malone's injury-plagued season with the Lakers, several general
managers believe he could be strong enough to boost an already talented team to
the top.
Malone is coveted by such teams as the San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota
Timberwolves and the up-and-coming Miami Heat, which would reunite him with
former Laker Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal has been urging Malone to join the Heat.
The Lakers could offer Malone $1.8 million next season, whereas the Spurs and
Heat could offer the veterans' minimum of $1.1 million. The Timberwolves spent
part of their mid-level exception money in re-signing guard Trenton Hassell,
but they would be close to the Lakers' $1.8-million offer with their remaining
mid-level exception money.
The Timberwolves are a perennial playoff contender whose franchise pillar,
league most valuable player Kevin Garrett, has only been able to lift his team
as far as the Western Conference finals. The Lakers have remained patient and
will welcome Malone back if he decides to return. If he decides to retire,
Brian Grant probably will start at power forward.
"We're going to respect the space that he needs to make a decision," General
Manager Mitch Kupchak said of Malone, who averaged 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds
last season. "Certainly he's earned that type of respect, not only for what
he did in Utah [in 18 seasons with the Jazz] but for what he did for us last
year."
Malone and his family recently returned to their Newport Beach home and his
children have started school, possible indicators that he intends to play for
the Lakers or retire.
"We're not going to give a deadline," Kupchak said. "We're saving a spot for
him."
NBA Breakdown
2004
‧ Oct. 5: Lakers open camp in San Diego, Clippers in Santa Barbara.
‧ Oct. 10: Preseason games begin.
‧ Nov. 2: Lakers open regular season at Staples Center vs. Denver.
‧ Nov. 3: Clippers open regular season at Staples Center vs. Seattle.
2005
‧ Feb. 18-20: All-Star weekend.
‧ April 20: Regular season ends.
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※ 編輯: helloworld 來自: 218.165.144.95 (09/16 00:09)
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