LAS VEGAS — Hoping his body does not betray him yet again, Jermaine O’Neal spins to the right on a post move and releases his picturesque but methodical jumper. The ball swishes and those in attendance, including Lakers coach Mike Brown and general manager Mitch Kupchak, watch with keen interest.

The Lakers are considering taking a chance on O’Neal with a minimum contract, needing just a handful of minutes per game to spell Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. O’Neal, 33, said he wants to return to the NBA following arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist performed by Celtics team physician Brian McKeon and therapeutic procedures on both knees in Germany.

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez underwent the same knee procedure and both said it has added years to their careers. O’Neal hopes it adds at least one more year after a frustrating two-year tenure with the Celtics that ended with a broken wrist and mounting frustration.

Limited to just 49 games over two seasons, O’Neal said he enjoyed playing with the Big Three and playing before the Boston fans but was perplexed by his role in the offense, or lack thereof.

Coach Doc Rivers told O’Neal before signing his two-year contract for the midlevel exception that his role would be primarily defense, rebounding, and blocking shots. The Celtics, Rivers said, had enough scorers and O’Neal was added for defense. The six-time All-Star never became comfortable with that limitation.