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Vladimir Radmanovic could put up with being called a "space cadet" and "my favorite martian" by Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

But when Jackson stopped playing Radmanovic, the versatile forward suggested it was time to leave Los Angeles.

As Radmanovic prepared to pull on a Charlotte Bobcats jersey for the first time Monday, Radmanovic acknowledged he had asked for a trade.

"I said if there was something to be done, I was open for it," Radmanovic said.

The odd Radmanovic-Jackson marriage was broken up Saturday when the Lakers sent the 6-foot-10 Serbian to the Bobcats for underachieving forward Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown.

The deal came as Radmanovic's playing time plummeted. After beginning the season as a starter, Radmanovic found himself behind Luke Walton and Trevor Ariza at small forward. When center Andrew Bynum was injured, Lamar Odom moved into the starting lineup and Radmanovic fell even further in the rotation.

Radmanovic didn't play more than 14 minutes in any of his final six games as a Laker and totaled five points in his final four games.

Charlotte coach Larry Brown said he spoke with Radmanovic's coach in Seattle, Nate McMillan, for tips on how to use his new player. The 12th pick in the 2001 draft, Radmanovic averaged 12 points in the 2003-04 season and 11.8 points a year later with the SuperSonics. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers before the trade deadline in 2006.

"I just want him to relax, enjoy playing and go from there," Brown said.

TIMBERWOLVES: Center Al Jefferson, the cornerstone of the franchise's rebuilding plan who has emerged as one of the better post players in the league, will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

PAUL OUT: Chris Paul, New Orleans' top scorer and the league's assists leader, missed his fourth straight game Monday, sitting out the Hornets' matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies because of a strained groin.

That left the Hornets without three of their top players, including forward David West, suspended because of a flagrant foul.