Lakers GM denies Thibodeau rumors: 'We're incredibly happy with Byron'

With reports swirling around the Los Angeles Lakers' potential interest in Tom Thibodeau, the team's general manager chalked it up to nothing more than rumormongering in a radio appearance Thursday morning.

"I saw something this morning," Kupchak told AM 570 L.A. "The first thing I said to myself was, 'Let me call Byron and let him know that the agents are doing their job, and pay no attention,'" Kupchak said of Lakers head coach Byron Scott.

"Not that I think Byron reads any of that stuff, but someone may call him and say, 'Hey, guess what I just read.'"

Kupchak's denial of a rumor regarding his team and a coach who remains under contract in Chicago is not surprising, but his praise of Scott certainly was.

"Nothing to it," Kupchak said of the Thibodeau-to-L.A. chatter. "We're incredibly happy with Byron. That's what agents and representatives do. They try to create a marketplace for their guy. I'm not saying that's exactly what happened here, but we're very, very happy with Byron, and after hanging up with you, in fact, I am going to call him or text him."

The Lakers' franchise-worst record of 21-61 in Scott's first year on the job can't be pinned on the coach, but Scott's reputation for defensive ineptitude and his outdated way of thinking offensively don't bode well for his future in the Association, regardless of Kupchak's unexpected support.

As for Thibodeau, he's been most heavily linked to the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic. His time with the Bulls is expected to come to a mutual ending after years of reported conflict with Chicago's front office.