Kupchak shoots down Odom trade rumors

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had this to say a few minutes ago when asked to separate truth from rumor when it came to published reports that the team was willing to deal sixth man Lamar Odom to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second overall pick or to the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Iguodala:

“I think other teams have been exploring major moves with us. I’m not exactly sure where it all came from, but prior to our exit from the playoffs a prominent member of the media (Magic Johnson) suggested we blow up the team and so I think that created an avalanche of expectations with other teams that we were looking to do things and I think we’ve been pretty consistent over the last month or so that it’s not our goal right now to look to break up this team. Certainly, we’ll explore opportunities, but we’re not out there dialing 27 or 28 other teams, (asking), ‘What would you do for these players?’

“That’s not what we’re doing. A lot of stuff you’ve read in the last two days, unfortunately, is agent driven. Nowadays, agents think a good way to consummate a trade would be to suggest publicly ideas that they come up with, and I think that’s part of the problem as well. What I would say is that based on the rumors we’ve heard the last week or so, I don’t anticipate any of those things happening today, tomorrow or the next day.”

Rob Pelinka is Iguodala’s agent, by the way.