Mitch Kupchak flatly said that the Los Angeles Lakers will not trade Dwight Howard ahead of the February deadline. Kupchak also seemed to imply that Pau Gasol, who has been a subject of trade rumors, will not be traded though he didn't mention him by name.

"We will not make a trade. We will not trade Dwight Howard. We have no intention of making a trade. It's unlikely that we'll make any trade with any of our principal players. To make another change at this time of the year being behind the eight-ball like we are, I think that would just make it more difficult. The talent is there. We have to find our way."

The Lakers fired Mike Brown after a 1-4 start and eventually settled on Mike D'Antoni, who has been responsible for mixed results.

"We're very happy with Mike D'Antoni," Kupchak said. "I think when he took the job I think he thought Nash [fractured left leg] might be out a week or two. Not two months. Getting everybody on the same page took a little longer than expected. Not to say it's been smooth sailing, that's for sure."