Chris 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 by the Sixers, 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, Lakers coach Phil 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."