Jackson tampering with Malone?

[stogiesmoker00]

Karl Malone is not a free agent until summer, and he remains a member of the Jazz until then. Still, coach Phil Jackson has not been shy about wondering how the Mailman would fit into the Lakers' lineup next season. According to a report in the April 29 Deseret News in Salt Lake City, Jackson talked about the prospect on his national radio program on April 28. According to a transcript sent via e-mail in a news release from Sporting News Radio, Jackson said, in part: "There's some game left in Karl and I think that my owner, in talking about personnel, has mentioned it to me. Do I think that Karl would be a good make for the Lakers? Obviously any player that is that good will find a way to play for a basketball club." Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz vice president of basketball operations, was angered by Jackson's comments. "Karl's under contract," O'Connor told the Deseret News. "It's called tampering, and it's against the rules."