A Non-Playoff Finish Could Become Worse

There may not be a silver lining for the Lakers if they don’t make the playoffs.

They could miss out on the postseason for the second consecutive season and still not have a draft lottery pick.

As part of a five-player trade in August 2004, the Lakers sent a first-round pick to Boston that was lottery-protected last season -- meaning the Lakers, because their choice was a lottery choice, got to keep it and draft 17-year-old Andrew Bynum.

But they lose the pick this year unless it is among the draft’s top 11. There are 14 picks overall in the lottery.

Either way, the Lakers still have a first-round selection because they get Miami’s as part of the Shaquille O’Neal trade, although it will likely be toward the end of the round.

“I don’t think it changes anything,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. “Nowadays it’s unusual where you get a player that’s going to help you win right away. It usually takes a year or two or three. We look at our draft choices as a way to replenish our system with young players, knowing their contributions aren’t going to come for a while.”

The pick the Lakers sent to Boston has bounced around the league, with several scenarios waiting to unfold when it officially becomes the Celtics’ (if not this summer or next, they are guaranteed the pick in June 2008). The Celtics already sent the pick to Atlanta last February as part of a trade for Antoine Walker, and the Hawks later sent it to Phoenix as part of the Joe Johnson trade.

The Lakers originally sent the pick to the Celtics, along with Gary Payton, Rick Fox and about $2 million, for Chris Mihm, Chucky Atkins and Jumaine Jones.

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Rookie guard Von Wafer on Monday was sent to the Development League, becoming the first Laker to go to the Fort Worth Flyers.

The second-round pick from Florida State has averaged 1.3 points in 16 games for the Lakers and will probably be with the Flyers for one to three weeks, Kupchak said.

“He hasn’t been on the active list in the last few games and he needs to go somewhere to play,” Kupchak said. “He’s young and he’s loaded with talent.”

TONIGHT

vs. Orlando, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 28-28; Magic 20-35.

Record vs. Magic -- 1-0.

Update -- The Magic, opening a five-game trip, has lost 13 of its last 15 games overall and eight consecutive on the road. The Lakers beat the Magic with ease on Dec. 23, 104-88, with Chris Mihm scoring 20 points in 24 minutes.

Tickets -- 800-462-2849 or ticketmaster.com