NBA Karl Malone talks to Lakers, may end his career with L.A.

The Lakers are expected to talk to other players as they attempt to rebuild.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
LOS ANGELES -- Karl Malone met with Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Wednesday, becoming the first of what could be several free agents to come through here in the next week or so.
A free agent who has spent the first 18 years of his NBA career with the Utah Jazz, Malone flew in from Salt Lake City on Tuesday night and by Wednesday afternoon sat across from Kupchak, the two discussing scenarios that could have Malone finish his career with the Lakers.
By all appearances, the Lakers will move quickly to add heft and touch to a roster that needs to be rebuilt around Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Kupchak has spoken to the agents for free agents Gary Payton, Juwan Howard and P.J. Brown, among others, and the organization seems to have made Payton its top priority.
Meeting eyed
Aaron Goodwin, Payton's agent, said Wednesday he hoped to have Payton meet with Kupchak in Los Angeles as early as Monday.
"The opportunity for Gary to play with Kobe and Shaq and Derek (Fisher) is very intriguing for Gary," Goodwin said.
"Otherwise, we wouldn't even be considering it. It's definitely under consideration."
Mark Bartelstein, Brown's agent, said he'd spoken to Kupchak "quite a bit" in the first 48 hours of the negotiating period. It appears Brown could be the hardest sell on the mid-level exception.
In their best-case scenario, the Lakers would split their mid-level exception, using it to sign two free agents.
They believe Malone, in his quest for a championship before he retires, might consider it, and that might ultimately be the factor that brings Malone to Los Angeles for good.