Rodman to Lakers No Done Deal

Before the “I do’s” could be said and the couple could leave the altar in wedded bliss, something interrupted the Lakers’ strange and fascinating potential marriage to Dennis Rodman.

Discussions between Rodman’s representatives at International Creative Management and Laker Executive Vice President Jerry West on Thursday apparently hit a snag when the agents balked at accepting only a $1-million salary this season--which is the most the Lakers, as a team above the salary cap, can offer Rodman.

But Leonard Armato, the agent for Shaquille O’Neal--who has urged the Lakers to sign Rodman--said there still was a good chance, with imaginative thinking, to smooth the rough edges of this negotiation.

“Even though there might be roadblocks, if [Rodman] thinks about it logically, it will lead him to Los Angeles,” Armato said Thursday night.

“He has a house in Newport Beach, the owner here wants him, the star player will support him, and he has a part-owner in Fox which might help further his career in entertainment.”

Pro-rated for the games lost by the lockout, Rodman would be paid only about $600,000, after receiving a combined salary of $18 million the last two seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

That, however, does not include a $3-million bonus from Converse, a source said, that would be paid to Rodman this season if he plays in New York, Chicago or L.A.

The major knot apparently developed when the ICM agents asked West to bring Fox, the entertainment company with a minority stake in the Lakers, into the deal by offering Rodman opportunities in its movie and television productions.

West refused, but ICM agents later decided to pursue their own deal with Fox.

It is unclear whether any side deal with a Laker minority partner would fall under salary-cap restrictions.

This all occurred just when it appeared that the Lakers had decided Rodman’s rebounding and defensive talents were worth his attention-getting antics.

West and ICM were talking. The players were excited. Rodman wanted to be a Laker.

Do you, L.A. Lakers, take this infamous tattooed rebounder. . . ?

“We’ve said openly, publicly, we wouldn’t mind having him,” O’Neal said. “Now, it’s up to him and his agent.

“I’m sure that Jerry has done everything possible to get him. So it’s up to him. We’ll wait and see.”

Do you, Dennis Rodman, take this young and talented team. . . ?

A spokesperson for ICM declined comment on any specifics Thursday night, saying only that the company has received “serious interest” from several teams, though she did not name them.

But with the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat publicly announcing their lack of interest in Rodman, and none of the few teams currently under the cap interested, the Lakers are apparently the only candidate if Rodman wants to play this season.

And it would have to be for only the $1-million veteran minimum, since the Lakers have historically declined to hand out future promises of big payments.

The Lakers need an aggressive, body-slamming power forward, Rodman is still, at 37, an aggressive, body-slamming forward, and the team’s owner, Jerry Buss, is a big fan of his.

Let any man (or cross-dresser) who would prevent this marriage speak now or forever hold his peace.

Unless the pre-nup gets in the way.

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak, weary of the continued intrigue on the eve of the regular-season opener, said the team would not be issuing minute-by-minute updates on the discussions or lack thereof with ICM or Rodman.