Kupchak: No Deals in Works

The Lakers have held internal discussions regarding turning over parts of their roster, and there are strong indications from outside the organization that attempts have been made to initiate trades or talks that would lead to trades.

General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Thursday that he had not yet begun that process, however, and that he stands by recent comments that he would continue assessing the team at least through December. Several hours later, the team fell to 10-17.

“We are going to let these guys roll and let them figure it out,” Kupchak said.

Despite the team’s record and Phil Jackson’s near-nightly observations that players lack energy, Kupchak said, “We are not shopping a single person. Not one phone call.”

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Laker losses reached 17, with road games against Philadelphia and Toronto and a Christmas Day game against Sacramento dead ahead.

“How many losses before you get desperate?” Jackson said. “Twenty losses at this time of year would be devastating for us to overcome. We know that.”

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Kobe Bryant leads the NBA in All-Star balloting after the first returns.

In a curious balloting, Shaquille O’Neal ranks first among conference centers, but only about 9,000 votes ahead of the runner-up, Houston’s Yao Ming.

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Bryant’s cancellation of his scheduled David Letterman appearance created a stir that apparently included telephone calls from the show to Bryant’s agent and the NBA commissioner.

A few hours before the taping, Bryant’s throat was so sore his voice was inaudible from more than a couple of feet away, and team personnel defended the decision.

“He’s been a PR guy’s dream for six years for me,” Laker official John Black said.

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The Lakers don’t expect to add power forward Horace Grant, released last week by the Orlando Magic, soon.... Power forwards Samaki Walker, who started, and Robert Horry combined for 20 rebounds....The Nets scored 28 points on the fastbreak.

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TONIGHT

At Philadelphia

5 PST, Ch. 9, ESPN

Site -- First Union Center

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330)

Records -- Lakers 10-17, 76ers 17-9.

Record vs. 76ers (2001-02) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Lakers continue on their tour of those they vanquished in recent NBA Finals. The 76ers won a game two Finals ago, and the Lakers have won eight Finals games since. Allen Iverson averages 28.5 points, second in the league to Tracy McGrady.