Lakers coach Phil Jackson considers his team "fortunate" to have drafted Illinois power forward Brian Cook and Arizona small forward Luke Walton on Thursday night, mentioning the unselfishness the youngsters can bring.

More prominent on Jackson's mind than his two newest players, though, were his two best players.

Of Shaquille O'Neal, expected to be better prepared physically for next season, Jackson said: "I anticipate with how much people have talked about how great a player Tim Duncan is and how he's the best big man, Shaq's down there gritting his teeth every time he hears that comment. Shaq's got the opportunity to prove to everybody next year that he's the best big man, and I think that's what he wants to do."

Of Kobe Bryant, who has suggested he'll opt out of his Lakers contract after next season and explore free agency, Jackson said: "We've anticipated that possibility for a long time. It's kind of a pressure thing to see how the Lakers will do ... (but) no one likes to walk away from winning, and that's what we plan to do."

Jackson reported improved health for himself and plans to discuss his own contract extension with Lakers owner Jerry Buss later this summer. But this is still a precarious time for the Lakers, trying to get back on top and needing some new faces to get there.

Cook, the 24th overall pick, and Walton, the 32nd, aren't expected to be the difference-makers.

"We have to assume rookies are not going to help us," Jackson said.

Jackson is much more enthused about the "hit list" the Lakers are developing for the opening of free agency Tuesday and the plan "to go aggressively after" skilled veterans. The Lakers want to add a guard and definitely a power forward; Juwan Howard is very interested in signing up to bolster the frontcourt, but remains uneasy with accepting just the $4.5 million mid-level exception.