Lakers talk with Nuggets about Camby

It was all quiet on the Los Angeles Lakers' front, but not necessarily in their front office.

No statements were released by the organization and there were no public words Friday from Kobe Bryant, which meant relative silence for the first time in six days, at least on the exterior.

Behind the scenes, Los Angeles Lakers officials continued to chase their goals of getting better in the frontcourt and appeasing their unhappy superstar.

The Los Angeles Lakers have begun talks with the Denver Nuggets regarding center Marcus Camby, the NBA defensive player of the year, who has led the league in blocked shots the last two seasons.

Camby, 33, averaged 11.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks last season. He has a decent midrange jump shot and doesn't demand the ball often in the post, doing most of his scoring with outside shots and after offensive rebounds.

The Nuggets are reportedly trying to lower their payroll, which would make Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown a possibility in trade talks, a league source said.

Kwame Brown has only one year left on his contract, for $9.1 million; Camby has three years and about $26 million left on his contract. The Los Angeles Lakers might have to add another low-salaried player or a draft pick to make such a deal more equitable for the Nuggets.

Camby and Kwame Brown have missed their share of games because of injuries. Camby has played more than 65 games in a season only three times in his 11-year career. Kwame Brown has averaged only 61 games a season in his first six years in the league.

The Los Angeles Lakers have also been in contact with Indiana regarding forward-center Jermaine O'Neal, a six-time All-Star. If the Los Angeles Lakers trade for O'Neal, they would likely have to part with Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom, or perhaps both.

O'Neal, 28, averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last season, although the Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time in his seven years with Indiana. He has three years and $64.1 million left on his contract, numbers that could ultimately put the Los Angeles Lakers over the luxury-tax threshold.

The Los Angeles Lakers have two centers on their roster, Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum. Chris Mihm becomes a free agent next month, although he might be re-signed at an inexpensive price after sitting out last season because of ankle problems.

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