Former University of Montana star Larry Krystkowiak, battling the latest in a series of injuries that have plagued his NBA career, hopes he gets another chance to prove he can help the Orlando Magic.
Krystkowiak, obtained during the summer from the Utah Jazz to complement the inside play of center Shaquille O'Neal, got off to a slow start with the Magic.But he then averaged 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in a pair of games before suffering a stress fracture in his right foot in a game against Detroit on Nov. 17.
The 6-foot-9 Krystkowiak since has missed 15 games, and that has sparked trade rumors that the Magic might try to get power forward Danny Manning from the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I want what's best for the team, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to be a part of it," Krystkowiak said in an interview this week with the St. Petersburg Times. "If they bring in a Danny Manning, it's pretty cut and dried there's not going to be many minutes for me.
"But what's frustrating is here this team is 13-10, its best start in franchise history, and all I hear is how this team needs a power forward."
Krystkowiak said he practiced on the court Monday for the first time since his injury, and was able to shoot without pain. But he still isn't expected to return to the Magic for another two weeks.
"I'm feeling better, but it never ceases to amaze me," he said. "I was feeling really good, probably the best I've felt since I hurt my left knee in May 1989 and almost to the day I'm thinking things are back to normal, when boom, I have the foot problem," he said.
John Gabriel, the Magic's director of player personnel, said the team will wait for Krystkowiak's return and decide whether forward Anthony Cook can help out before deciding on any major trade.
Cook, who was obtained with guard Todd Lichti from the Denver Nuggets for forward Brian Williams, currently is on injured reserve following surgery on his right knee. But Gabriel says Cook possibly could be activated in a week.