Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday he would not accept a sign-and-trade offer for Kobe Bryant under any circumstances ? a hard line against the likes of New York Knick General Manager Isiah Thomas and Bryant agent Rob Pelinka ? but might be forced to listen to bids for Shaquille O'Neal.

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said Thursday that if O'Neal came to him with a trade demand, he would have to consider it.

"He can dominate this game for years to come still," Kupchak said. "But that's something he has to decide to do. As you do age, it becomes harder and harder to do that. That's probably a big question he has to address."

As for Kobe, the question seems to be out of the question.

"We're not going to trade Kobe," Kupchak said. "We're just not going to do it. Period."

Asked if he'd risk getting nothing in return if Bryant chose to leave the Lakers, Kupchak said, "He's going to have to just go."

Asked why, he said, "Because we're not going to trade him. We're going to do everything we can to keep him."