HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mitch Kupchak continues to be confident that Dwight Howard will re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, when the center becomes a free agent. “I expect it,” Kupchak said Tuesday. Howard had 26 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday's win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers' first game without Kobe Bryant. “For the last six or seven weeks, we’ve been seen him playing like he played in Orlando,” Kupchak said of Howard. RealGM

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

Before Saturday's practice, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak shared with the team a 30-second video on his cell phone that showed Bryant outlining how the Lakers could win their 17th NBA championship without their star because of a torn left Achilles tendon that will sideline him at least six to nine months. "It was classic Kobe with the way he inspired us," Lakers reserve guard Darius Morris recalled. "Mitch brought a video of him right before he went into surgery just telling us we know we have to do. Just go out there and get it done. " Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Darius Morris 

One more reason the Lakers won't use their amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant next season, from @teamziller: "...Then there's the matter of Bird rights and Kobe's 2014-15 salary. If the Lakers use amnesty on him, they would renounce his Bird rights. So if he doesn't play in 2013-14, the Lakers could not then go above the cap to sign him without using an exception. Assuming the Lakers re-sign Howard after waiving Kobe and do not pawn off Pau for a low-salary package, they would still end up above the tax in the 2014 offseason, meaning that Kobe could sign for only $2.5 million. Kobe Bryant has a whole lot of money. But does anyone think he's going to play for $2.5 million at any point? No. No no no." Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak 

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 

Mitch Kupchak told reporters he believes Opening Night is "a reasonable goal" for Kobe. But even if it's New Year's Day or the All-Star Break, you'd have to be insane to believe Kobe would agree to sit out whatever time remains in the 2013-14 season so the Lakers can save (admittedly a ton of) money. Not going to happen. I suspect as the weeks go on and we hear more about Kobe's recovery and timeline, amnesty talk will die down. In the meantime, Ziller gives one more reason to believe it won't happen. Sulia

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak 

In the long run, Kupchak downplayed the prospects of the Lakers using their one-time "amnesty" provision to waive Bryant during a one-week window in July. "That's not even something that we've discussed," he said. "That's the furthest thing from our mind right now." Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Amnesty 

NBA teams begin playing around Oct. 31, meaning Bryant theoretically could be back in time for the start of next season. "I think that's a realistic goal for him," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. Maybe it's too optimistic. Maybe not. Soccer star David Beckham returned from an Achilles' injury in five months. Clippers guard Chauncey Billups needed more than 9½ months. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

On the possibility of amnestying Kobe: Kupchak: That’s not even something we’ve discussed. From my understanding without going into great detail, that’s not something that gets to the fall. I think that's something that happens in July, so that’s not something that takes place next year. That’s the furthest thing from my mind right now. NBA.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

Eric Pincus: If money was the priority for the Lakers above all - perhaps they would consider it - but that's not what they're about - saving $. Twitter @EricPincus

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

Arash Markazi: Mike, Gary and Mitch have a meeting of the minds after practice and before Kobe's surgery. #Lakers mob.li/_ljcPw Twitter @ArashMarkazi

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

Mike Trudell: Mitch Kupchak said he approached Kobe about 10 days ago expressing concerns about his playing time. Kobe's response to follow... Kobe to Kupchak: "I hear what you're saying, but we have to get in the playoffs. I'm playing and there's nothing you can do about it." Twitter @LakersReporter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

Mike Bresnahan: Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak: Using the amnesty provision to waive Kobe Bryant in July was not even something being discussed. Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak 

Mike Bresnahan: Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak on Kobe returning by start of next season: "I think that's a realistic goal for him." Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak, Injuries 

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