Magic Leans Toward Comeback Iii

Magic Johnson hung around the Dream Team on Friday and uttered a familiar refrain: He’s thinking about another comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The signing of Shaquille O’Neal by the Lakers “definitely gets me to thinking that I can come back,” Johnson said in Friday’s USA Today.

“It gets the juices going. I couldn’t sleep last night with the thought of Shaquille signing with the Lakers. He always said he wanted to play with me.”

Asked about a third comeback as he covered the Dream Team’s workout for NBC, Johnson said the chances were “better, much better” than 50-50 he’ll return to the Lakers midway through next season.

As the Dream Team held its first practice at the Georgia Dome a day before its opening game against Argentina, Johnson stood behind the baseline. Every so often, he’d yell to a player on the court and flash his trademark smile.

Johnson retired from basketball after last season, but has never closed the door on another comeback.

Los Angeles renounced its rights to Johnson to clear salary cap room to sign O’Neal. Under NBA rules, Johnson is forbidden from signing with the Lakers until January.

“Del Harris and Jerry West would have to feel good about me coming back,” Johnson said of the Lakers’ coach and general manager.

O’Neal, one day after signing a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Lakers, missed practice to return home to Orlando for the birth of his first child.

Lakers sign Campbell

Elden Campbell, a free-agent forward-center, resigned with the Lakers.

The 6-foot-11 Campbell, who grew up near the Forum and was a first-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 1989, signed a seven-year deal for $49 million.

Lakers rookie Derek Fisher, meanwhile, signed for three years and $2.2 million.

The team’s other rookie, Kobe Bryant, will probably have a deal early next week.

Ellis re-signs; Motta hired

Dale Ellis, the NBA’s career leader in 3-pointers, resigned with the Denver Nuggets.

The 35-year-old guard was a starter for most of the 1995-96 season, averaging 14.9 points a game.

Ellis, with Denver for two seasons, had exercised an opt-out clause in his contract, making him a free agent.

Dick Motta, third among NBA coaches with 918 wins before being fired last season, was hired as an assistant coach by Denver.

Motta rejoins Nuggets president and coach Bernie Bickerstaff, who was an assistant when Motta coached the Washington Bullets from 1976-80.

Around the league

The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Donnie Boyce and injured center Blair Rasmussen to clear salary-cap room for center Dikembe Mutombo, who signed this week.

Rasmussen retired three seasons ago because of a bad back, but his $3.5 million salary still counted against the Hawks’ $24 million cap.

The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to terms with free-agent guard Chris Carr and renounced their rights to Spud Webb and Darrick Martin, also free-agent guards.