Lakers GM Kupchak opens up about Kobe, 2015 Draft, urgency to rebuild team
On the heels of Mitch Kupchak's proclamation that next season will be Kobe Bryant's proverbial victory lap (promptly followed by Kobe's vague rebuttal), the Los Angeles Lakers general manager elaborated on his outlook for the 2015-16 campaign.
In his interview with Bleacher Report on Sunday morning, Kupchak reiterated that next season will likely be the final one in Kobe Bryant's illustrious career. However, he also indicated that the Lakers would possibly be open to discussing additional seasons beyond 2016, when Kobe's contract is set to expire.
Mitch Kupchak on Kobe: "If he wants to return, we'll discuss that a year from now...right now, we're focusing on the draft."
— Bleacher Report SXM (@br_radio) May 24, 2015
With his sights set on next month's NBA Draft, Kupchak and the Lakers occupy a rather enviable position with their No. 2 pick. Although there is no guarantee that L.A. will opt for a big man, most speculations have the Lakers selecting either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor (depending on who the Minnesota Timberwolves tab with the No. 1 pick).
With the draft about a month away, Kupchak believes that the Lakers will keep their pick rather than trading it for an established star player.
With Julius Randle - last year's draft pick - set to return from the broken leg he suffered at the beginning of this season, the Lakers hope to turn their fortunes around quickly. Kupchak has made his stance on the rapid transformation of his team from cellar dwellers to contenders very clear:
Mitch Kupchak tells us on NBA Sunday Tip, "We don’t have …. the time to methodically and slowly build through the draft." @br_radio
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 24, 2015
Mitch Kupchak: "It can get better quickly. We can be in the hunt quickly."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 16, 2015
With only Bryant, Randle, Nick Young, and Ryan Kelly locked in, contractually, for next season, Kupchak certainly has a busy summer ahead of him.