After losing their second-straight series in the second round, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak admitted some changes were in store.
Kupchak said he would look at actively pursuing trades during the off-season. "Why not? Sure, we went through it last year. Other than at the trade deadline, we didn't do anything last year. But, when you lose before you think you should have lost, you have to open up all opportunities," Kupchak said during his annual post-season press conference.
"There will be some changes. We've got a group of players that are free agents. As you know, Ramon (Sessions) has an option in his contract that he signed with Cleveland. He can extend it a year or opt out.
"I have no idea what he's going to do. There will be quite a bit of activity July 1, looking at who we can bring back and dealing with the marketplace."
Kupchak, however, admitted the Lakers would pick up All-Star center Andre Bynum's $16.1 million option for next season by the June 30 deadline.
"That's step one. Anything beyond that we'll discuss internally and precede if that is the course we are going to take."
The other discussion is sure to involve the fate of Pau Gasol. Gasol was almost traded to Houston in a three-team trade which would have seen Chris Paul end up with the Lakers instead of their neighbors the Los Angeles Clippers. However, that trade broke down and Gasol stayed with the Lakers.
"Our exit meeting with him was really good. I think he and I are on the same page. He's the consummate professional, the consummate teammate. But what took place last year is hard for a player to deal with, and I think there's a little bit of trust that's not the same.
"I have not met with the ownership. I don't know what direction the team will go. So, there wasn't really anything additional to share with Pau."
While this year's draft is expected to be one of the deepest, the Lakers have only one available, the 60th pick in the second round. Kupchak said he would look to change that. "We'll look to improve our position in the draft. I can't imagine us being in a position to simply step into a first round pick. But there may be a way to get up to a better position in the draft."
