Lakers add to win column, could add to roster

Reporting from New Orleans — Nothing comes easy on the road for the Lakers. Not even a game against the worst team in the Western Conference.

Somewhere amid the din of who was coming and going on the Lakers, there was a three-hour window for another 17-point deficit, followed by another overtime victory.

Kobe Bryant had 33 points, Andrew Bynum had 25 and the Lakers rallied to beat the New Orleans Hornets, 107-101, Wednesday at New Orleans Arena.

PHOTOS: Lakers vs. Hornets

Even in victory, there was a breeze of uncertainty in the locker room as the Lakers crept closer to the trade deadline Thursday at noon.

The Lakers are pursuing Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, hoping to add some scoring punch to their reserve unit.

The second pick in the 2008 draft, Beasley is averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 rebounds in the last year of his contract. He has become expendable in Minnesota because rookie forward Derrick Williams is getting more playing time.

In one scenario, Lakers backup point guard Steve Blake would be sent to Portland. The Trail Blazers would then deal Jamal Crawford to Minnesota. A draft pick and another player might be involved as well.

“I haven’t heard anything yet,” Blake said as he left the arena with a basket of chicken tenders and waffle fries. “Haven’t checked my phone, though.”

Before Pau Gasol headed to the team bus, he thanked a handful of reporters, shaking their hands in the locker room ... just in case.

“One way or another, time’s going to tell,” he said after scoring 18 points and taking 10 rebounds.

Gasol is not expected to be traded Thursday despite talks with Boston, Chicago and Houston in recent weeks. “I might wake up after the deadline,” Gasol said, alluding to the fatigue he felt from a chaotic few months.

If the Lakers lost Blake, they could turn their attention rapidly to Cleveland point guard Ramon Sessions. The Lakers still have a $9-million traded-player exception that could net Sessions for a draft pick.

Sessions, 25, is on the market because the Cavaliers have handed their offense to rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. Sessions is averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 assists in 24.6 minutes as a reserve. He has one more year on his contract for $4.6 million.

Meanwhile, Bynum continued to grow offensively, making 10 of 17 shots a night after making 15 of 18 in a double-overtime win against Memphis.

It was a big enough effort that actor Samuel L. Jackson came over to congratulate Bynum as he slipped on a headset for a postgame radio interview.

The biggest overtime plays came with Metta World Peace in the middle of them.

The Hornets’ Chris Kaman was trying to get the ball to Jarrett Jack, but World Peace grabbed it and went the other way for a layup and 102-99 lead with 40 seconds left.

“His hands are obviously something that separates him from most players in the NBA,” Bryant said. “He has some of the quickest hands I’ve ever seen.”

Or, as World Peace said, “You really can’t be safe with that ball around me.”

Then World Peace blocked Kaman’s shot from the left baseline with 14.9 seconds remaining. Bryant made two free throws for a 105-99 lead.

Bryant had a chance to win the game in regulation, but his 18-footer from the left side bounced off the rim as time expired. Bryant helped the Lakers forge a 93-93 tie, however, making three free throws after being fouled while attempting a three-point shot by Gustavo Ayon with 19.3 seconds left in regulation.

Jack had 30 points for the Hornets, who fell to an abysmal 4-18 at home.

The Lakers return home for a Friday game against Minnesota. Whether their roster stays the same or includes a player from the Timberwolves will be known soon enough.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com

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