Joe Crispin, the rookie from Penn State, took Mike Penberthy's place on the end of the Laker bench Sunday night, maybe for only a handful of games, according to the LA Times.

Owner Jerry Buss seems very serious about staying beneath the luxury-tax ceiling, a plan that already cost Brian Shaw about $1.25 million and Penberthy his job. The Laker roster is 14, and perhaps shrinking. Derek Fisher has a critical bone scan scheduled for Nov. 19, and he expects to be activated shortly thereafter.

Coach Phil Jackson refused to divulge the number of players that would be carried by the Lakers.