The Lakers reached January without contract extensions for Shaquille O'Neal or Phil Jackson, negotiations having lingered since late summer for Jackson and mid-fall for O'Neal.

While those with knowledge of the talks still believe the contracts will come, it might not be until summer. Jackson's agent was in Los Angeles recently and left, apparently, without significant progress.

Jackson said Friday night that he has asked to stay out of contract conversations until there is something significant to consider. In the meantime, it is becoming possible he could serve out his lame-duck season without a contract and ? like Kobe Bryant, in essence ? become a free agent in the summer, perhaps pushing Jerry Buss' cost even higher.

O'Neal's contract can be extended by two years. By summer, the collective bargaining agreement would allow him to extend by three. Asked about progress on Friday, O'Neal shrugged.

"Jerry Buss ain't waiting on me," he said. "I'm waiting on him. But I'm not worried."