November 16, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Former pro basketball player “Julius Dr. J” Irving sits next to Los Angeles Lakers Mitch Kupchak during the ceremony unveiling the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
With much speculation at the trade deadline, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has his hands full over the next week. Prior to the Thunders-Lakers game, Kupchak spoke to a select few media members, where he reiterated that LA is thinking for the future.
LAL GM Mitch Kupchak spoke to a few of us pregame. Implied that if LAL make a move at the deadline, it'll be to address 2014-15 & beyond.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 14, 2014
Kupchak's certainly aware of where LAL are in the standings, & the still-existing injuries. It's his job to look forward to LAL future.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 14, 2014
However, the UNC grad reaffirmed his team’s status on tanking, and his reluctance to it.
Kupchak understands where LAL are in standings, but fundamentally disagrees w/tanking, or trying to lose. "Winning is never a bad thing."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 14, 2014
Kupchak on "tanking": "I’m not a karma guy. Ff you try to manipulate this thing, it never works out the way you think it’s (will)."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 14, 2014
The Lakers sit just a half game out of the worst record in the Western conference and have dug a hole that won’t be coming out of this year. Fortunately for them, they picked a year with a fantastic draft class and a slew of free agents to wipe the slate clean with.