Kupchak to Explore All Trade Options
After Sunday night’s loss at Phoenix, (Kobe) Bryant said he wanted (Mitch) Kupchak to decide whether (Pau) Gasol would be traded or not. Kupchak responded with a terse one-paragraph statement before Monday’s game against Portland.
“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.”
via Associated Press
