Pau Gasol has a relaxing summer

The Lakers' All-Star forward doesn't play for Spain for the first time in three years, but he is taking a trip to India as an NBA ambassador.

Jerry Buss says this might be his best Lakers team, and that's saying a lot

The Lakers owner is looking forward to squaring off against the reloaded Miami Heat with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. 'Quite honestly, I think we can beat them,' Buss says.

Mitch Kupchak makes the Lakers stronger, even if he doesn't get the recognition

Text messages from press row…

Jerry Buss enters the Hall of Fame on Friday

Lakers owner will be enshrined at Springfield, Mass., as a contributor. Magic Johnson and Jerry West will go in again with their respective Olympic teams.

Shannon Brown says choice to stay with Lakers was easy

Brown, who mulled over offers from several teams, officially signed his two-year, $4.6-million contract. 'This has been the best fit, the best spot, the best everything for me,' the guard says.

Bob Boozer put his NBA dreams on hold to play for a dream team

Boozer, the No. 1 pick in the 1959 NBA draft, didn't sign immediately so he could play for the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. On Friday, that team will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Lakers open against Houston on Oct. 26

Clippers, with new Coach Vinny Del Negro and former No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, will begin the season the next night against Portland.

Lakers, Shannon Brown agree to two-year deal

The free-agent guard agrees to a contract worth approximately $4.6 million to remain with the Lakers and try for a third consecutive title.

Shaquille O'Neal signs with the Boston Celtics

The former Lakers great gets a two-year deal worth about $3 million to play for a Celtics team that will be without starting center Kendrick Perkins, who is injured, for much of the season.

Shaquille O'Neal really wants to go out as a winner

Text messages from press row …

Lakers will play LeBron James' Miami Heat on Christmas Day

The NBA releases the schedule of some of next season's marquee games. Lakers open at home against Houston Rockets; Clippers open at home against Portland Trail Blazers.

Lawmakers got Lakers playoff tickets from stadium developer

Lobbyists gave more than $1,400 in basketball tickets to legislators who helped pass a waiver on environmental laws for the NFL project. Disney and gaming interests were among the other big donors.

Lakers' Andrew Bynum has knee surgery

Center has procedure for torn cartilage but is expected to be ready on a limited basis by training camp.

Matt Barnes fulfills a dream by joining the Lakers

Former UCLA Bruin had exchanged messages with Kobe Bryant, and signed for less money to help Lakers pursue another championship. GM Mitch Kupchak says the move was a 'conscious effort to get tougher.'

Magic Johnson predicts a Lakers three-peat but says the Heat's time will come

The Lakers great, who owns about 5% of the team, says the two-time defending champions are the team to beat next season, particularly after bolstering their bench in free agency. But he can see LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh winning 'two or three' titles in Miami down the road.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant rehabilitating from knee surgery

Details are unclear, but Bryant is expected to be ready for training camp, where he will join a retooled Lakers roster.

Lakers add Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff

Barnes, a former UCLA Bruin and noted defender, turns down more money from Cleveland to join the two-time defending champions.

Andrew Bynum's knee surgery is set for July 28

Lakers spokesman says timetable for recovery will be known after the procedure, but 'supposedly he'll be 100% by training camp' in late September. It is the center's second such surgery in three years.

Lakers are kingpins in social media too

By one accounting, the Lakers are the second-most popular sporting venture in the realm of Twitter and Facebook. Other local teams lag far behind, but they're seeking ways to catch up — and cash in.

Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks turning heads in Summer League

The Lakers' second-round draft picks each averaged 15 points in five games in Las Vegas and may have improved their chances of making the big club this fall.

Steve Blake arrives to Lakers amid little fanfare

Guard says he looks forward to 'being productive' by involving teammates, playing good defense and hitting open shots. He will presumably back starter Derek Fisher but can play fairly heavy minutes.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Galaxy's Landon Donovan take home ESPYs

Quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are big winners at Nokia Theatre on Wednesday night.