HoopsHype.com Rumors

DeVos also dispelled the notion that — if the team's front office determines it must trade Howard — he would veto a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers because the Lakers signed Shaquille O'Neal to a free-agent deal years ago. "I don't have any emotion on that," DeVos said. "I never talked about where he would go because I don't want him to go. I don't discuss where he might go." Orlando Sentinel

Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Trade, Dwight Howard, Rich DeVos 

Dave McMenamin: Something I found interesting: Kobe said today that he's never met Larry Bird. "Our paths have never crossed" Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird 

The much maligned Los Angeles Lakers bench could receive an unexpected boost Thursday against the Boston Celtics. Lakers guard Steve Blake was medically cleared and returned to practice Wednesday and will be a game-time decision for the Celtics game after being out of the lineup since Jan. 11 with a costrochaondral fracture, which is the a fracture of the cartilage connecting the rib to the sternum. "I've just been patient with it, trying to let it heal," Blake said. "I really had no preconception of when I was coming back. I didn't know if it was going to be sooner or later. I really had no idea. To me, it's on time." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake, Injuries 

Pau Gasol: We, the Spanish sportsmen, don´t win by chance.. it's true. Write down the keys of our succes: talent, effort, perseverance and humility Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Spain 

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is awaiting word on details of a workout Gilbert Arenas is planning in Los Angeles later this week and is open-minded about attending, two people with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com Wednesday. Although the Lakers have publicly been noncommittal about whether to pursue the three-time All-Star, Kupchak has nothing to lose by evaluating Arenas as a potential solution to the team's point guard woes. The workout date has not yet been set, but Kupchak is said to be willing to attend depending on timing and logistics. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak 

"The Lakers are going to take a look at him," one of the people familiar with the matter said. Arenas, 30, was waived by the Magic via the amnesty clause after averaging 8.0 points in 49 games for Orlando last season, including two starts. In a total of 70 games for Orlando and Washington in 2010-11, Arenas averaged 10.8 points -- his first full season since serving a 50-game suspension for bringing guns into the Wizards' locker room in December 2009. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak 

Kobe Bryant told me after Lakers practice on Wednesday the torn ligament in his right wrist is completely behind him. “I got through it,” Bryant said. When I asked him if he would use the term “healed,” Bryant said: “Yes.” Bryant said he stopped using the pregame injection that would numb the wrist to pain two games ago in Utah on Saturday night. He then played in Philadelphia on Monday night without the supportive tape he has used all season on the wrist. Without the tape, Bryant can return to his usual shooting mechanics with full follow-through, which is particularly helpful to him on 3-pointers. “I’ve got more flexibility on the shot,” Bryant said. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Bryant said he doesn’t even have to do any specific rehabilitation anymore, referring to the maintenance now as “nothing to speak of.” “If you can play through injuries and heal while you’re going through them, that’s the best-case scenario,” Bryant said. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant 

Mike Trudell: Lakers got good news: Steve Blake practiced today and is a game-time decision for tomorrow at Boston. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Blake, Injuries 

Mike Bresnahan: Kobe says he's "definitely" playing for Team USA in the Olympics this summer, even if he's fatigued and ends up w/ an assortment of injuries Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, USA Basketball 

Fisher, 37, has helped the Lakers win two games, hitting a last-second three-pointer against Dallas and diving for a loose ball late against Denver. His stats, though, are down to 5.4 points and 26 minutes a game after he averaged 6.8 points and 28 minutes last season. His three-point touch has also suffered, down to 27.5% after 39.6% last season. "I don't feel that I'm physically struggling and having a difficult time playing," Fisher said. "I have a particular role with my team and I try to fill it to the best of my ability. We could win some more games regardless of how I'm playing. Then things would be a lot better." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Derek Fisher 

Bryant and Chamberlain have already been linked through their penchant for points in the past, as Bryant broke Chamberlain's Pennsylvania high school scoring record by finishing with 2,883 points to Chamberlain's 2,252. Bryant's 81-point game on Jan. 22, 2006 also happens to be the second-highest single scoring game in league history, trailing only Chamberlain's 100 scored on March 2, 1962. "It's a lot of points. It's a lot of points," Bryant said, looking back on Chamberlain's feat as the 50th anniversary of The Big Dipper's historic game approaches next month. "I think it was just one of those nights for both of us where there was really no explanation for it. You just kind of get into one of those zones and one of those moments and things happen. ... I was doing mine on jump shots, though. I didn't have to bang with too many guys down low. I was just catching and shooting." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain 

While it took more than 40 years for another player to score 80 points or more after Chamberlain scored 100, Bryant said his and Chamberlain's scoring totals are achievable. "I believe so," Bryant said when asked if any player would ever join him and Chamberlain with a matching single-game scoring outburst. "One day it will happen." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain 

No charges will be filed against Bryant over an alleged incident in August at a church in San Diego, the city attorney's office announced. A young man had alleged that Bryant assaulted him while both were attending Sunday services at St. Therese of Carmel Church in the upscale Carmel Valley neighborhood. The accuser said that Bryant aggressively pulled on his arm because the Lakers star thought the man had taken his picture. Thomas Hagos, 20, later went to a hospital because of a minor wrist sprain, police said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Law 

After the incident, Bryant denied that he had hurt the man. "Mr. Bryant is aware of the baseless allegations asserted against him," said a statement issued by attorney Mark Campbell, "and is prepared to defend against them fully." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Law 

Rajon Rondo. Note: “ball-handling guard” is triangle-speak for a point guard. Additionally, sources have told HOOSPWORLD that the Boston Celtics do have interest in Gasol for their All-Star point guard. HoopsWorld

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Pau Gasol 

The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Derrick Caracter, it was announced today. Caracter, who was assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League on January 25, has played 4 games (1 start) with the D-Fenders this season, averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 23.5 minutes. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Derrick Caracter 

"I'm always frustrated," Bryant admitted when asked how long it would take before frustration set in. "I'm frustrated when we lose one game. But I believe we obviously tried to improve our team. They tried to make a move (for now-Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul), and it fell through. I'm sure they're working on other things as well. I'm not going to get bent out of shape, or hoot and holler, or lose my temper or whatever. I believe we're all on the same page, we know what we want to do. We know what the goal is." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant 

Bryant also expressed confidence in the Lakers' roster as currently constructed, even while acknowledging the team's small margin for error. "We're going through a little tough patch right now, but we'll be all right," he said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant 

To some, it was regrettable that personality clashes may have prevented an even longer run as a dominant 1-2 punch. But as far as Bryant is concerned, that was never in the cards from day one. "There's no way we would have lasted (15 years). Absolutely not," Bryant told Colin Cowherd during a Tuesday appearance on "The Herd" on ESPN Radio. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal