HoopsHype.com Rumors

You said you were optimistic in your exit interview that Howard will come back. Do you still feel that way? Mitch Kupchak: I’m optimistic. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Is it true, as ESPN Los Angeles reported, that Dwight Howard in his separate interview after his formal exit interview that he lamented frustrations about Mike D’Antoni, specifically about how he felt marginalized on the team? Mitch Kupchak: “Criticism of a coach did not come up. Our coach did not come up. In terms of the way the season went and our talent, group and players and how they think in general, I would venture to say most of our players felt this was a frustrating season and that they didn’t get to show their talents as much as they would have liked to." Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: "Being around as long I’ve been around, it doesn’t bother me when I hear at some point a player didn’t see eye to eye with a coach. Players don’t have to like coaches. They just have to play hard. In L.A., our coaches get evaluated on wins and losses and not whether our players like them or don’t like them. It doesn’t matter.” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: "A player a has a right to be a free agent. It bothers me that there seems to be some media attention and criticism early in the process about Dwight and the coach and Dwight and free agency. Don’t get me wrong. The sooner he makes his mind up, the better for everybody. That’s my take on it. But he can’t sign until July 10 anyway. I told him when he first got here, ‘I’m not going to bug you. I believe this is the place for you. When you make your mind up, let me know.’” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak: “You’ve been around long enough and watched him play. Look at his numbers and his age. Everything will continue. Knock on wood, he stays healthy. He’ll be in the hall of Fame. There’s no doubt. If he picks up where he let off, he’s going to average 20 points and 14 rebounds and 2 and 3 blocks and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. He’ll be here for 16 years in this league and there’s no doubt.” Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

An ESPN report said Howard devoted part of a separate meeting with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak following his formal exit interview three weeks ago to lament how Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni made him feel "marginalized." Kupchak said that didn't happen. "Criticism of a coach did not come up," Kupchak said Wednesday in a phone interview. "Our coach did not come up." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Kupchak also believes Howard will co-exist with D'Antoni, whom Kupchak has said will return next season. "I have absolute and complete confidence," Kupchak said. "Players don't have to like coaches. They just have to play hard. In L.A., our coaches get evaluated on wins and losses and not whether our players like them or don't like them." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

When Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak called Phil Jackson to tell him the Lakers were hiring Mike D'Antoni instead of him as coach, he responded the only way he knew how. "I laughed," Jackson told ESPN's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" show Wednesday. "It was humorous to me when Mitch said that we think that Mike is a better coach for this group of guys." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Kevin Ding: Talked to Mitch Kupchak about his private exit meeting with Dwight Howard. Mitch: "There was no discussion of the coach whatsoever." #lakers Twitter @KevinDing

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

The Lakers, who hoped Howard's return would help bridge the gap to a new era that could be kickstarted in the summer of 2014 when they have so much salary cap space and may not have Kobe Bryant, are flirting with quite a fallout here. General manager Mitch Kupchak had already urged Howard to choose quickly in the days after the season ended with a first-round sweep by the San Antonio Spurs, informing Howard that he'd be holding up the team's business if he waited until the official free agency period in early July to make up his mind. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

While he hasn't had anything to say to the press, Dwight Howard had a lot to say to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak back before the relative silence, however. Howard was one of several Lakers -- Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol being the most noteworthy -- to have an extended separate meeting with the GM after his exit interview with both Kupchak and D'Antoni, multiple sources confirmed to ESPNLosAngeles.com. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

Jerry Zgoda: Faces spotted just walking into gym: Danny Ainge, Mitch Kupchak, Ty Corbin, Mike D'Antoni, Jerry Sloan, Rick Carlisle, RJ Adelman Twitter @JerryZgoda

Danny Ainge, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Jerry Sloan, Rick Carlisle, Ty Corbin, RJ Adelman 

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak was supportive of D’Antoni in comments made during his exit interview last week, appreciating what he did in a season stained by constant injuries. “To Mike’s credit, he made adjustments,” said Kupchak. “Once we started getting players back and once he started to see what our real strengths were, he was flexible and made adjustments, and that’s when we started to win games and gather momentum.” Lakers.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni 

Dave McMenamin: Antawn Jamison had his exit interview with Mitch Kupchak today at the Lakers practice facility, according to a source Twitter @mcten

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Antawn Jamison 

After Dwight Howard was ejected during the Game 4 loss to the Spurs, he walked past Mitch Kupchak and, upon receiving a pat on the butt from his General Manager, turned around and yelled in his direction. Predictably, this created a stir as fans and media wondered if Howard was chewing out Kupchak, and if so, the trouble this might signal. As expected, Kupchak was asked about this during Tuesday’s exit interview media session. “You know something,” mused Kupchak. ”I went home that night and I watched “Rocky V,” with Rocky fighting the Russian. (Editor’s note: I immediately informed Kupchak that the movie in question was “Rocky IV,” because this is the knowledge I bring to the table at an exit interview.) And my phone rang, and somebody said ‘What did Dwight say to you?’ “I said, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ “They said, ‘Well, look on the TV.’ “So when there was a commercial, I went to the sports channel and I saw what they were talking about. I never heard a word he said when he walked past me. So until Sunday evening, around 9:30 or 10 o’clock at night, I didn’t know a thing about it.” Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Mitch was later asked if he asked Dwight about the yelling. “I did," said Kupchak. "He said he forgets completely what he said, but he was frustrated with the officials and turned around and apparently barked something back at the court.” Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Eric Pincus: Mitch Kupchak asks spokesman John Black if should defer any Lakers amnesty questions to @Mark Cuban Twitter @EricPincus

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Mark Cuban, John Black 

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 

Serena Winters: Dwight said he didn't remember anything after the technical foul, including any exchange with Mitch Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Mike Bresnahan: Hate to cramp everyone's Laker tweets but...Dwight wasn't mad at Kupchak while leaving court. Mad at refs, hard fouls by Spurs. Proceed! Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard