HoopsHype.com Rumors

Marc Stein: Kobe IS the modern-day Lakers. No way they let him go via amnesty unless it benefits team payroll AND allows for him to re-sign when ready Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak 

The Los Angeles Lakers might have been the only NBA team without a representative at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston over the weekend, but general manager Mitch Kupchak says that will change in the future. "We have our reasons (we did not attend) that we'll keep internal," Kupchak told ESPNLosAngeles.com before the Lakers played the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. "We'll get some feedback and send someone next year." Kupchak said that the Lakers have never sent a representative from the basketball operations side in the six years the event has been presented. Jeanie Buss, Lakers executive vice president of business operations, was a speaker at the conference last year, however. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jeanie Buss, Statistics 

While Howard returned from his April back surgery to start the season on Oct. 30, he's clearly not himself physically just yet. Howard has consistently said he'll decide if he wants to return in the summer. "I think he should get more credit for the reality of what has taken place," Kupchak said. "Here's a guy who didn't have to come back. Forget whatever he needs (because of) this summer as a free agent, because doctors are going to say that after a year you're going to be fine. But he came back because after a year he wanted to play and he wanted to win. And then he's also had the torn labrum (in his right shoulder). I just thought he was getting unfairly criticized." USA Today Sports

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

Despite all that has gone wrong in Dwight Howard's first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, general manager Mitch Kupchak says the team is still hitching its wagon to the All-Star center. "Dwight is our future," Kupchak told "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on ESPN Radio on Wednesday. "Kobe [Bryant] has one more year on his deal [this year, plus one]. That's all I can bank on or this organization can bank on. I have no idea if he wants to continue to play beyond next year. As of now, we're looking at a two-year window, [and that] plays to the urgency of the situation and how we build the team. ... This team's window to win is this year and next year." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Just knowing Buss was there was a good feeling for everyone, and the fact that he's gone now has instantly become the most frightening development of the modern Lakers era. Buss was the Lakers' voice. Who will become that voice? Buss was the Lakers' conscience. Who will carry that burden? It was Buss' unique vision that brought the Lakers 10 championships. Who is watching the store now? Mitch Kupchak, who is your boss? "I report to Jimmy Buss," he said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jimmy Buss 

Where the Lakers were once one kingdom led by a single benevolent leader, there are now two territories run by potentially feuding siblings. They are Jeanie's Lakers, and they are Jimmy's Lakers, which means, right now, they are nobody's Lakers. "Don't think for a second there's not an adjustment period," Kupchak admitted. "You lose a father or you lose a leader like Dr. Buss ... there will be changes, and there will be an adjustment period, but I don't anticipate a problem." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jimmy Buss 

Q: On if he finds any relief about Mitch Kupchak’s comments that he will not be traded: Howard: He’s been saying that for the last month-and-a-half or two months. There’s always rumors and stuff swirling around. One thing he tells me every day is to trust him, so that’s what I’m going to continue to do and control what I can control. Lakers.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said he won't trade Dwight Howard but that he is still taking calls before the trade deadline. He's just downplaying the possibilities. "It's unlikely that there will be an upgrade in the talent of this team. I just don't see how that's realistic," Kupchak said. "We'll continue to be on the phones and make calls, take calls and listen, but don't anticipate anything dramatic taking place in the next two days." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

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 

Kevin Ding: Kupchak said Jerry Buss' Lakers involvement decreased in Dec/Jan: "He was very involved with the decision to change coaches." Twitter @KevinDing

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss 

Mike Trudell: Mitch Kupchak said that Jesse Buss (the youngest sibling), who works for Mitch as a scout, "Has a keen eye ... he really does." Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jesse Buss 

Kevin Ding: Mitch Kupchak on Jerry Buss' lifestyle: "You might see him LEAVING the office at 9 in the morning ..." Twitter @KevinDing

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry 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 

Mike Trudell: Kupchak said he hasn't seen Dr. Buss since October, but knew that Dr. Buss watched every Lakers game from the hospital. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss 

Mike Trudell: Kupchak said he couldn't find a place where he was comfortable yesterday. A room, a car, anywhere. He's beyond sad, personally. Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss 

Mike Trudell: Mitch Kupchak on Dr. Buss: "He brought me here in 1981 as a player, and here it is 32 years later ... yesterday was an empty day." Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Mitch Kupchak, Jerry Buss 

Whether center Dwight Howard is a part of that attempted revival doesn't matter to Bryant, sources familiar with Bryant's thinking told FOX Sports Ohio. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has strongly nixed the notion that Howard could be moved prior to Thursday's trading deadline. But if Kupchak changes his mind, he'd have Bryant's full support, according to sources. FOXSports Ohio

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

For Howard, the trade deadline comes on Thursday and rivals are still poking at the Lakers, understanding fully that Howard is miserable. When teams call to talk trade, they say, the Lakers' private message has been consistent with the public one: Howard isn't available, general manager Mitch Kupchak tells them. When suggestions surfaced over the weekend that the Lakers had engaged in trade talks, Kupchak delivered word directly to Howard that he should pay it no mind. Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

"They're too arrogant to move him now, even if Dwight asked for it," one rival GM said. "They're the Lakers, and they'll dare you to walk away in July. And if I was them, I would, too." Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak denied a CBSSports.com report that the Lakers and Celtics were in preliminary talks to trade Dwight Howard for Rajon Rondo. "I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks," Kupchak told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. "I made the statement a week or two ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard