Mitch Kupchak reiterated Wednesday the Los Angeles Lakers will not trade Dwight Howard before Thursday's deadline despite the inquiries that have been made.

In addition, Kupchak stressed Howard will fully recover from back surgery at some point and that the center will be a major part of the Lakers' future.

"Dwight is our future," Kupchak said. "He deserves to have his name on the wall and a statue in front of Staples at some point in time."

In Kupchak's mind, the Lakers have a two-year window -- this season and next.

"And a lot of that has to do with Kobe [Bryant]," Kupchak said.