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Lakers Say Cooper Has Tentatively Accepted a 4-Year Deal, but Agent Says Talks Still On

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Free agent guard Michael Cooper has tentatively agreed to a reported four-year contract calling for $600,000 a year with the Lakers, and General Manager Jerry West said Tuesday that Cooper probably will sign soon.

“I think it’s imminent,” West said. “It’s in our attorney’s hands now. There are certain gray areas to be worked out, but we’ve agreed on the basic things.”

However, Fred Slaughter, Cooper’s agent, said the negotiating is still going on.

“There is no deal between us,” Slaughter said. “I delivered a document (to West on Monday) and there has been no response. If he doesn’t agree to some of those items we’ve listed, there will be no deal. This last bit of distance we need to go should be smooth, but so far it hasn’t.”

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Cooper, 30, apparently agreed orally last week after a meeting with Laker owner Jerry Buss.

Laker Notes

The Lakers announced that four draft choices--guards Ron Kellogg, Andre Turner, Dale Blaney and Roger Harden--have been signed. Also, free-agent forwards Adrian Branch and Vada Martin were signed. All will be at the Lakers’ training camp beginning Oct. 3 at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert. . . . Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn will receive a star on Hollywood Boulevard near Highland in a ceremony at 12:30 this afternoon.

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