Orland Magic Basketball Team

Jump-started by Penny Hardaway's personal entreaties to Jerry West and former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers have explored blockbuster sign-and-trade scenarios to acquire the versatile, at times volatile guard from the Orlando Magic, several sources said Tuesday. The sources also cautioned that, because of salary-cap complications and what the Lakers might send the Magic in return, the Lakers are far from completing any deal for Hardaway.

Jump-started by Penny Hardaway's personal entreaties to Jerry West and former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers have explored blockbuster sign-and-trade scenarios to acquire the versatile, at times volatile guard from the Orlando Magic, several sources said Tuesday. The sources also cautioned that, because of salary-cap complications and what the Lakers might send the Magic in return, the Lakers are far from completing any deal for Hardaway.