Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak cringed at the question, one he had to expect to be asked even on a day when the organization was upbeat about having selected Georgia Tech guard Javaris Crittenton with the 19th pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

But Lakers coach Phil Jackson didn't back away from questions about disgruntled Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, saying he expects Bryant to be on the team when the Lakers head to Hawaii for training camp in October.

Jackson said he has frequently spoken to Bryant since his outburst.

"Kobe has got to respect what this team is trying and has to do and we're trying to work our way through this," Jackson said. "In my heart of hearts, I believe that when it comes time in Hawaii for this team to step on the floor, Kobe Bryant is going to be wearing a uniform."

While teams like the Lakers and Suns will continue to pursue Kevin Garnett, and the Wolves seem intent on trading him, sources say that it's unlikely, but not impossible, that a deal goes down by the time of the draft.

The Big Ticket's arrival would have solved the Kobe Bryant crisis and made the two a deadly duo next season.  But Kevin Garnett does not appear to be on his way to Los Angeles.  

That leaves Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers with some big issues to confront.

Would the situation with Bryant be fixed if the Lakers sent their young center Andrew Bynum to Indiana for Jermaine O'Neal?

Jim Gray reported Wednesday that owner Jerry Buss gave a "no comment" when asked whether the Lakers would be willing to trade Bryant.

Buss said the Lakers "are trying" to make a trade and "will make a deal if it improves the team ... but not just to make a deal, but if it makes us better."

Bryant has not publicly contradicted the assertion of Ric Bucher, in whom Bryant has been known to confide, that he would sit out next season if the Lakers do not comply with his demand to be dealt.

Since Kobe Bryant made his trade demand public, the Lakers have been trying frantically to find the talent that will appease their superstar.

When a trade for Kevin Garnett fell through earlier this week, reports re-surfaced that the Lakers would make a play for Indiana?s Jermaine O?Neal.  

But Wednesday evening, the Pacers' chief decision-maker Donnie Walsh told the New York Times that there was ?no validity? to reports of trade discussions with the Lakers.

A source close to Kevin Garnett has said that he has Phoenix higher than the Lakers on a short list of preferred destinations.

"He definitely wouldn't mind getting alley-oops from Steve Nash," the source said.

With their bid to land Minnesota's Kevin Garnett all but dead, which can't make Kobe Bryant very happy, the Lakers restarted trade talks with Indiana about acquiring Jermaine O'Neal on Tuesday.

"O'Neal is available and the Lakers are interested," said an Eastern Conference GM last night. "That's what's being discussed now."

The source insisted that the Celtics are also involved in talks for O'Neal and would be willing to part with the fifth pick as part of a package.

The Pacers are open to moving O'Neal, although teams such as the Knicks who covet him don't have the pieces.

"He's an awful good player," team president Larry Bird said about O'Neal yesterday. "And anytime you've got a player of his caliber, you've got to be careful.

"If you do trade him, you have to get something back. Hopefully we can do something that makes our team better, whether it's Jermaine or whoever."

Perhaps never has a team with the No. 19 pick generated so much talk leading up to the NBA draft.

If the Lakers don't make a trade, they will select 19th Thursday and, contrary to some conventional wisdom, most likely will not select a point guard. Perhaps in the second round, but maybe not even then.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has gone through draft preparations assuming that the roster - including Kobe Bryant - won't significantly change, although he is exploring many trade options.

Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown, who underwent reconstructive surgery on his left ankle last month, is scheduled for an operation on his right shoulder Wednesday.

Brown, who will have a bursa sac and scar tissue removed, is expected to make a full recovery. A timeline for his return will be determined after surgery.

Brown had ankle surgery on May 29, and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak doesn't expect that to keep him from being at or near 100 percent when training camp begins in October.

ESPN's Jim Gray reported on Tuesday night that a league source said that the latest trade scenario has Kevin Garnett landing in Phoenix with the Suns.

Three teams are involved in these discussions, with the Suns getting Garnett, the Celtics picking up Phoenix forward Shawn Marion and the Wolves acquiring the fifth pick in Thursday's draft and players from Boston.

This development comes after ESPN's Ric Bucher reported earlier on Tuesday that talks between the Lakers and Wolves concerning Garnett had broken down. The Lakers had reportedly offered a package containing at least forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum.

The current trade is basically contingent on whether Marion would agree to a contract extension with the Celtics, Gray reported. Marion can opt out of his contract after the 2007-08 season. The Suns have spoken to Marion about the deal.

Jim Gray reported Tuesday night that a new trade is brewing which would make Kevin Garnett a member of the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns, Timberwolves and Celtics are discussing a trade that would see the Suns get Garnett, the Celtics land Shawn Marion, and the Wolves acquire Boston's fifth pick as well as a number of unnamed players.

Earlier in the day, Ric Bucher reported that the Lakers' talks with the Wolves about Garnett had fallen apart.

The current blockbuster depends on whether Marion would agree to a contract extension with the Celtics.  Marion can opt out of his contract after next season.  According to Gray, the Suns have already spoken to Marion about the potential trade.