The Lakers are strongly considering waiving Brian Grant, using a clause in the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement that would allow them to release the high-salaried forward acquired last summer in the Shaquille O'Neal trade.

The Lakers would still have to pay Grant's salary, which would continue to count against the salary cap and keep the Lakers cap-strapped until the summer of 2007.

The Lakers would, however, save almost $30 million in luxury taxes over the next two seasons. Grant, who averaged 3.8 points and 3.7 rebounds last season and was bothered by knee and shoulder problems, will make $14.3 million next season and $15.4 million in 2006-07.

A decision on Grant, 33, would be strictly economic and would be made by Laker owner Jerry Buss, who has paid the luxury tax the last two seasons but could avoid a considerable hit for a player of limited value.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak declined to comment specifically on the exemption or Grant's future. "We haven't had a chance to review in detail the agreement," he said. "We've gotten only some abbreviated bullet points."

However, a team source said it was "a very real possibility" Grant would be released.