HoopsHype.com Rumors

Dave McMenamin: Magic Johnson takes a shot at the Dwight-Blake trade possibility on ABC: "Sterling and Jim Buss getting a deal done?! No way! No way!" Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Clippers, Trade, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson, Jim Buss 

Jason Lloyd: BScott has cordial relationship with remaining Buss family (Jeanie and Jim). But Jerry adored him. Twitter @JasonLloydABJ

Los Angeles Lakers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Jerry Buss, Owners, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Naturally Jackson wanted Brian Shaw to take over for him after he left the Lakers in 2011 but the team went with Mike Brown, and then, after a brief flirtation with Jackson, chose Mike D'Antoni. "I sat with [Lakers General Manager] Mitch Kupchak a week ago and even he couldn't find out for me," said Jackson of Shaw. "It had something to do with [Lakers owner/executive] Jimmy Buss, I think." Jackson is hopeful that his protégé ends up in the right situation as head coach. "I think that Brian might have an opportunity but I just want it to be the right one for him," said Jackson. "The last conversation I had, I told him to make sure he doesn't end up in a no-win situation like Charlotte." Los Angeles Times

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Jim Buss, Bryan Shaw 

Should the Lakers resort to a Plan B if Howard walks, Bryant says he will make his voice part of the process. "It's gotten to a point at this stage in my career where those lines of communication are more open and we talk more frequently both with (general manager) Mitch (Kupchak) and (vice president of player personnel) Jimmy (Buss) and (vice president of business operations) Jeanie (Buss) to a certain extent," Bryant said. "Those lines of communication are open." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Owners, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Kobe Bryant: Interesting off season looming.. Will spend time with d12 #stay and talk with the Buss family in hopes that Pau stays as well #my2cents Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Owners, Jim Buss 

Some league observers, however, remain convinced that Jackson's flirtations with teams are largely aimed at convincing Lakers lead basketball decision maker Jim Buss to cede his organizational power to sister Jeanie ... which would theoretically enable Jeanie Buss to bring her fiance Phil back to Lakerland as L.A.'s next front-office chief. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Roland Lazenby: Just as the gulf between Dr. Buss + Phil was huge, the chasm between Jim Buss + the ZenMaster is expansive. Basketball's Grand Canyon. Twitter @lazenby

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Owners, Jim Buss 

When Jim Buss fell for Brown in their sitdown at the pre-draft camp in Minneapolis, the Lakers knew he was West’s pick to fill the Warriors’ vacancy. That was why they slammed the deal home so quickly, and why the price got to $4.5 million a year, more than they’re paying Mike D’Antoni. Lakers Nation

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Jerry West, Mike Brown, Owners, Jim Buss 

Will you have a discussion with Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss about your future? Pau Gasol: Yeah. It'll be a discussion for sure. There's no doubt about it. We all have to look to the future, and to the immediate future. Next season, it's important for everyone, for myself, for the team. I'm sure there's going to be talks. All the parties care. I'd love to continue to be here, continue to help the team be the best it can be, and be on board as much as I can. That's my thought process. But we have to be on the same page. I want to make it work. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Mitch Kupchak, Jim Buss 

On Friday, Kobe Bryant got a visit from Lakers Vice President Jim Buss, General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Coach Mike D'Antoni. Bryant is still on crutches, recovering from April 13 surgery to repair a torn left Achilles' tendon. The Lakers All-Star guard uploaded a picture to his Instagram account with the caption, "Got a few more visitors today ... Jimmy B, Mitch K and Mike D. We talked about the season, next season and more importantly about the strategy for this upcoming series #lakerfam #amnestywho?? Lol #coachvino." Bryant is expected to be out for six to nine months. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Injuries, Jim Buss 

I suspect Ziller is right about the amount for which Kobe will play -- though he would certainly understand the value from a PR and roster construction standpoint by taking so little -- but the bigger thing is the Bird Rights issue (something I wasn't aware of). It's another impediment in the all-too-neat sounding end scheme to save money next year while Kobe rehabs and then bring him back for the '14-'15 campaign. There are plenty of other reasons the Lakers wouldn't do it. The PR would be awful, and at least some of the money saved would have to go into protection for Jim Buss and a moat around the training facility. And more importantly, the concept only works if Kobe doesn't play at all next year. Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Jim Buss 

Q: On if he’s had any conversation with Kupchak or Jim Buss about his future: Howard: They haven’t really said too much about it all year. There’s always stuff that goes on on the outside. As far as on the inside, what we talk about is how I can improve and what we as a team can do to get better. That’s the only thing I’m more concerned with – how we can win games and how we can come together as a team. Lakers.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Dwight Howard, Jim Buss 

Mike Trudell: Mitch Kupchak said that Jim Buss is more involved than Dr. Buss was, but said that both generally defer to him on basketball decisions. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss, Jim Buss 

Mike Trudell: Kobe is "very confident" that Dr. Buss' children will carry on the tradition he built. "In their own way, they'll have success, for sure." Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Jerry Buss, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Mike Trudell: Kupchak stays in much closer contact with Jim and Jeanie Buss than he did with Dr. Buss, who was "different in his approach to business." Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss, Jeanie Buss, Jim Buss 

Jim Buss said recently he was told by D'Antoni that Gasol was a happy camper now because D'Antoni was saving Gasol's knees and prolonging his career. It was amusing news to Gasol, who played 37 minutes against Minnesota and 40 versus Detroit. "Never heard that," he said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Mike D'Antoni, Jim Buss 

Thursday was a day off for the Lakers, a time to recover from an 0-3 trip after returning to Los Angeles early in the morning from Memphis. But it was a very busy day for Mike D'Antoni. The Lakers' coach was given a vote of confidence during a face-to-face meeting with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Executive Vice President Jim Buss, The Times has learned. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Jim Buss 

Despite a shaky start with the Lakers, D'Antoni was told to do whatever he wanted with the lineup. Buss and Kupchak support him. He was told to do whatever was best for the offense. Buss and Kupchak support him. They discussed team personnel and morale and were unanimous in their thinking: The Lakers can still make an impact in this league. And, yes, make the playoffs. "It was a positive meeting," D'Antoni said Friday in a quiet moment at Staples Center, long before tipoff against the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Jim Buss 

D'Antoni, who came here on a three-year, $12 million contract that he'll be paid whether or not he's able to see this job through, is going to grin his way through it and see where this purple- and-gold roller coaster takes him. "I don't care (about the increased scrutiny that surrounds him)," D'Antoni told USA TODAY Sports after the morning shoot-a-round. "I'm trying to do my job the best I can do it, and I'm trying to go as hard as I can. If (Lakers general manager) Mitch (Kupchak) and management ask me to (step down), then they can do that. That's their job. That's not my job. "That's a decision that the head guys have to make. When that day happens, it happens. But up until then, I'm going to coach as hard as I can coach to try to get it right." USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Jim Buss 

Lakers officials and D'Antoni confidantes alike say there's no indication he's on his way out or that it's even being considered. And according to the Los Angeles Times, D'Antoni was given a vote of confidence from management in a meeting that took place not long after he discussed the prospect of being fired. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Jim Buss