Lakers GM: ‘We Will Not Trade Dwight Howard. We Have No Intention of Making a Trade’


It goes without saying that things haven’t exactly gone as planned in Laker Land so far this season, even getting to the point that many have speculated the team will trade Dwight Howard before he has the chance to walk this summer. Not gonna happen, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak told Newsday: “The rocky season started with coach Mike Brown’s firing after a 1-4 start. After a brief scenario of Phil Jackson rescuing the season, the Lakers turned to former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. But the losing continued, especially on the road, where the Lakers are 7-16. They play 18 of their remaining 34 games on the road, including Tuesday night against the Nets. ‘We’re very happy with Mike D’Antoni,’ Kupchak said. ‘I think when he took the job I think he thought Nash [fractured left leg] might be out a week or two. Not two months. Getting everybody on the same page took a little longer than expected. Not to say it’s been smooth sailing, that’s for sure.’ Asked about his remaining options to salvage this season, Kupchak said, ‘We will not make a trade. We will not trade Dwight Howard. We have no intention of making a trade. It’s unlikely that we’ll make any trade with any of our principal players. To make another change at this time of the year being behind the eight-ball like we are, I think that would just make it more difficult. The talent is there. We have to find our way.’ But there is no denying that the Lakers, who have a $100-million payroll and a tab of nearly $30 million in luxury tax, have been a huge disappointment.”