RealGM

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a multiyear extension with general manager Mitch Kupchak, sources with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday night.

With the Lakers in the midst of the worst season in franchise history, the timing of Mitch Kupchak's extension solidifies his decision-making role.

Kupchak has presided over four NBA championships since succeeding Jerry West as the Lakers general manager in 2000. He has been with the organization since retiring as a player in 1986.

Details of Kupchak's current contract have never been released, but sources indicate he had at least another year on his current deal.

This new extension will keep him as the Lakers general manager for several years beyond what he was already under contract for.

With the Lakers in the midst of the worst season in franchise history, the extension for Kupchak solidifies his decision-making role and is a reflection of the esteem in which he is held by the Buss family.

The timing of the extension is also effectively a vote of confidence to reflect the Buss families' trust in him to shape the future of the organization, sources said.

lakerRD wrote:I believe in Mitch.

I also think Jim trusts him and will listen to him and his recommendations.

LApwnd wrote:

lakerRD wrote:I believe in Mitch.

I also think Jim trusts him and will listen to him and his recommendations.

why wasn't he before?

Q: Will (Kobe) factor in on the decision about Mike?

A: We will not consult with him. No, we won't consult with him.

Q: Because when he was asked about Mike last week, the perception was that he didn't go to bat for him publicly. That started the storyline of "Well, Mike's not coming back because it doesn't seem like Kobe wants him back."

A: We won't consult with him. Our decisions going forward — we're not going to do knee-jerk stuff. We'll let the season end, and take some time. We've got a lot of injuries and surgeries to sort through. That's a lot to accomplish. We have the draft coming up?

Q: Do you have clarity on that (D'Antoni) decision yet?

A: No. No. In fact, I told Jimmy let's get to the end season, take some time off…then review the season. Look at our roster. I mean we have a plan. We've aligned our contracts in such a way where we're at a position where we're not financially stuck. But there's a lot we don't know. We don't know where we're going to get our pick. Are we going to be sixth, are we going to be eighth, are we going to be two or three? We don't know. We know who may be a free agent, but we don't know for sure until June 30.

So we know a lot, and we're set up to take advantage of the situations — whether it's to make a trade, take back a player, get a good draft choice, pursue free agency. But once again, it's a different world than it was 20 years ago. And as much as we'd like to be very competitive and competing for a championship next year, it may or may not happen, ok?

Q: So how's Kobe going to handle that?

A: He'll be fine. He's got no choice. He'll be fine. When we lose, he'll rant and rave and be upset and be hot and won't talk to anybody, but that's the way it is. You've got to take the good with the bad.

Q: But with all the talk about Phil here, those people don't often talk about how you're still here and what you've accomplished. Does that ever hit your ego, that idea that there's not more talk about "In Mitch we trust"?


A: Well the people that I need to know trust me, and they made it clear that they do. I understand from the public's point of view that Kupchak doesn't hold a candle to Jackson. Once again, it's a good story so that didn't really bother me. But the people in the organization certainly — Jimmy, and I know Jeanie — trust me too. And for over 30 years, Dr. Buss showed incredible trust and loyalty to me. So to me, that's what was important. That was it.