Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is expected to be very aggressive this summer as he tries to retool the team in hopes of becoming a title contender again next season.
The Lakers are expected to pursue big-name free agents this summer or look to trade for All-Star caliber players, but Kupchak reiterated that the moves that they will make will be a collective decision of team's top brass.
Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension earlier this season, made it no secret that he wants big changes this offseason.
While most executives are convinced that the Lakers' decision this summer will be influenced by Bryant, Kupchak told USA Today that the 16-time All-Star will not be consulted about their future decisions.
"We won't consult with him," Kupchak said. "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."
Kupchak's decision could also mean that head coach Mike D'Antoni will be given another shot next season.
Bryant is reportedly calling for coaching changes, but team executives are reportedly leaning towards keeping D'Antoni despite the forgettable year the Lakers are having this season.
The Lakers will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season, and are on the verge of finishing with the franchise's worst record in 54 years.
When asked about rumors suggesting that D'Antoni will stay next season, Kupchak stressed that they will make a decision after evaluating the team's performance this season.
"I told Jimmy (Jim Buss) let's get to the end season, take some time off, then review the season," Kupchak said. "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."
Kupchak was rumored to be on the hot seat as well, but the 59-year-old GM secured his long-term future in Los Angeles after signing a multi-year extension on Wednesday.
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