Kobe Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka reportedly was so involved as a middle man between the Lakers and Bulls that without him there might not have been any trade talks.

Bryant and Pelinka think General Manager Mitch Kupchak's cautious style cost the Lakers Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Jason Kidd.

Actually, Kupchak pulled out the stops on Garnett, offering Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, but Minnesota boss Kevin McHale preferred Boston's package.

Kupchak offered Odom but not Bynum for O'Neal -- according to the consensus among Lakers officials, including Jackson, who said Bynum and Odom would have been "too much."

Kupchak wouldn't give up Bynum for Kidd last season, but that was also the consensus among Lakers officials with Jackson in agreement.