Lakers Rumors: Does Kupchak's Response to Kobe Mean Gasol Is on the Way Out?

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently responded to Kobe Bryant's plea with management to find a resolution concerning forward Pau Gasol, and while he sympathized with Bryant Kupchak make his intentions going forward pretty clear.

"As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player," said Kupchak, a former Lakers center.

"Nonetheless, as General Manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come," Kupchak said. "To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans."

According to ESPN.com those were Kupchak's words before the Lakers game against the Portland Trail Blazers and, while they certainly don't mean a Gasol deal is a fore-gone conclusion, a person could definitely draw that conclusion.

Bryant has said that he would prefer for the Lakers to keep Gasol in favor of making only minor tweaks to the team's roster, but Kupchak's declaration is further proof that Kobe's opinions hold very little weight these days.

The decision to hire Mike Brown without Bryant's blessing was the first piece of evidence to support that theory and Kupchak's subtle rebuke is another.

Bryant understands the NBA is a business and he would probably accept a trade for Gasol if it ultimately brought the Lakers closer to his goal of a ring for the thumb.

But unless Kupchak has a hole card with Deron Williams' likeness on it, there doesn't appear to be any deal worth making with Gasol where the Lakers could get equal talent for his skill.

And I'm all for Kupchak's vision for the Lakers future, but the urgency in Kobe's pleas suggests that he understands as far as his career is concerned the future is now.

There are only so many miles left in Kobe's weary body and the franchise owes what is arguably their greatest star the chance to compete for NBA championships as long as he can play at an elite level.

The Lakers are not really close to competing for a championship right now even with Gasol, but any trade that does not net the team Williams or Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard will not bring them any closer.