Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak Addresses the Media, Hints at More Deals

On Monday morning, Los Angeles Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak spoke with reporters in a 30-minute session where he fielded questions over the Lakers' latest moves beginning Thursday with the Chris Paul trade that was vetoed by the league.

Some highlights from his media session:

On Lamar Odom

Mitch Kupchak said that Lamar Odom was sent to the Mavericks because he requested a trade. The Mavericks were their selected trading parter because they wanted flexibility in return and not another player.

Kupchak elaborated, saying the trade was all agreed upon by Kupchak, Jim Buss and Dr. Jerry Buss; the decision was "well thought out."

On Future Trades

Kupchak said he expects to "add to the mix" a new player or two before the season starts.

As for blockbuster deals, Kupchak said the team is still pursuing big deals; "that has not changed," also hinting at "more than one big deal."

Kupchak reaffirmed that he has not given up on a deal for Paul. This comes hours after the league killed a proposed deal that would send Paul to crosstown rivals the Los Angeles Clippers, giving the Lakers' another shot at Paul.

Third time is the charm, as they say.

On Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum

As to who on the roster is safe, particularly the two seven-footers Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, Kupchak said there is "no guarantee anybody will be here with the exception of Kobe [because of his] no-trade clause and that's the bottom line."

"If we can figure out a way to improve the team, we'll do it," he added.

Kupchak did, however, assure the two big men that he envisions having them for the full season, making it clear that's the only way he can view it.

Other Notes

Mitch also said the team does not plan to use their amnesty clause right now. Luke Walton, you may resume practice.

Mitch was asked about his 15-minute meeting with Kobe Bryant yesterday to discuss the Odom trade. Kobe is the only player Mitch spoke to regarding Saturday's trade, with Mitch explaining that Kobe did not express dismay to him.

It figures that Kobe was in a state of shock given how big of a piece Odom was to the team and wanted to get clarification from Mitch whether this one move had a greater end goal.

Perhaps Dwight Howard?

Overall, it's good to know that Mitch is being forthright with his intentions, signaling that the Lakers front office want to make more moves and that this roster is not finished.

Whether that means CP3 could be back on the table or Dwight Howard is being pursued seriously is still unknown. But you have to think that when Mitch references "big" deals, it could only mean these two superstars.