Hold the rumors, Lakers have draft to think about

The team can’t pursue high-priced free agents, but it has the midlevel and minimum exceptions.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — In between all the phone calls discussing potential trades, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and his staff also have been preparing for the NBA draft.

While all the trade talk in the world might not result in any deals, the draft could be an important element in the Lakers’ future.

“Right now, we’re preparing to make all three choices,” Kupchak said, referring to the team’s 19th, 40th and 48th overall selections.

But he doesn’t expect all three to be with the Lakers next season. Rather, one or two could be playing in the Development League or somewhere else.

Unhappy star

The Lakers have an unhappy Kobe Bryant, who has said he wants out, and starters Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown have had offseason operations, leaving their status in question although Kupchak said he expects both to be ready when training camp begins.

The No. 1 need appears to be a ball-handling guard, but it’s unlikely the Lakers will go in that direction with the No. 19 pick since they already have a young player who fills that role in Jordan Farmar.

“We like Jordan Farmar, we think he has a bright future in this league,” Kupchak said of last year’s first-round choice. “That being said, we probably need another ball-handling guard in addition to Jordan Farmar.”

That means the Lakers will pursue that need via a trade or free agency. Kupchak said neither Smush Parker nor Aaron McKie, a pair of guards who played for the Lakers the past two years, will return next season. Since they’re over the salary cap, the Lakers can’t pursue high-priced free agents, but they have the midlevel and minimum exceptions.