Kupchak broke ice, got a gem

WASHINGTON -- Tracked down at home late Friday night, Mitch Kupchak sounded relaxed and hopeful after pulling off the biggest NBA trade so far this season.

A few hours after the landscape of the Western Conference shifted and shook, the Lakers’ general manager discussed the inner workings of the Pau Gasol trade and what he expected from the newest acquisition. He also provided closing thoughts on Kwame Brown.

The Lakers acquired Gasol and a second-round pick in 2010 from the Memphis Grizzlies for Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, first-round picks in 2008 and 2010, the draft rights to 2007 second-round pick Marc Gasol and retired guard Aaron McKie.

The desire to make a trade began when the Lakers struggled in the aftermath of Andrew Bynum’s knee injury.

“Three weeks ago, we would not have made a deal,” Kupchak said by phone. “But when Andrew went down, we didn’t want to give away eight weeks. Lo and behold, Pau was available.”

It wasn’t easy, with the discussions heating up Thursday night.

“It’s hard trying to make a deal,” Kupchak said. “It’s like moving a glacier. As late as [Thursday] afternoon, it was dead, and then it came around quickly that night and we were able to finish the deal Friday morning.”

Gasol, 27, arrived in Washington late Saturday after passing a physical earlier in the day in Los Angeles. He probably won’t play today after missing three of his last four games with the Grizzlies because of a sore back. “He’d be totally uninitiated,” Coach Phil Jackson said.

Gasol, who was averaging 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and three assists a game for Memphis, said his Lakers debut probably would be Tuesday at New Jersey.

“I think he’s going to fit because he knows how to play and he’s a very good passer,” Kupchak said. “I’m not sure I have to elaborate on his ability to score and rebound. He’s unselfish and he has a presence that he knows how to play the game.”

The move was decisive, and it signaled the end of the Brown experiment, a herky-jerky experience for the team since his arrival from Washington in August 2005 for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.

Brown averaged 7.4 points and 6.2 rebounds in 136 games with the Lakers and was booed at a home game against Phoenix last month after a series of turnovers and missed shots. He also had numerous off-the-court incidents, including his infamous cake-throwing caper after Ronny Turiaf’s birthday party in Hermosa Beach.

“We had a really good heart-to-heart [Friday] and I wished him well,” Kupchak said. “I think we’re all kind of disappointed that he couldn’t fulfill the promise that we had for him. I think he felt the same thing. That’s what he portrayed to me.

“He was very appreciative for the opportunity. The environment will be less taxing and less stressful [in Memphis] than here. Maybe that will lead to better performance.”

As with many big transactions, there’s often buyer’s remorse, which Kupchak acknowledged. It may not look like the Lakers gave up a lot to get Gasol, but they were cognizant of the unknown future -- the loss of Crittenton and the first-round picks.

Kupchak said team officials were “concerned we gave up future talent, but we want to win today.”

Assuming the Lakers continue an upward trajectory over the next few seasons, the draft picks they traded will be toward the end of the first round, making the loss of Crittenton the foremost thing on their minds.

“I think he has a chance to be a really, really good player,” Kupchak said. “At the time we drafted him, we drafted the best available player. We didn’t know what the summer would bring, but here we are, we have [Derek] Fisher, and Jordan [Farmar] made a big jump.”

Crittenton, 20, was taken with the 19th pick in last year’s draft.

There were other notable reactions to the trade.

* From Lamar Odom: “We felt like we could compete for a championship with the team we had. With this addition, hopefully that dream comes true.”

* And from Jackson, when asked if he thought the move would be enough to satisfy Kobe Bryant in the long run: “I would assume it would, but that’s his bailiwick. He’s got to work through that. If we have success, I’m sure he’d want to be part of it. If we continue to have injuries, he may think there’s a black cloud hanging over our head.”

Sasha Vujacic continues to thrive, scoring 22 points Friday against Toronto two games after scoring 20 against New York.

A restricted free agent after this season, Vujacic is shooting 55.9% over his last eight games.

“Coach is showing he has confidence in me,” Vujacic said. “It’s on me to perform now.”

TODAY

at Washington, 9 a.m. PST, Ch. 9

Site -- Verizon Center.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 29-16; Wizards 24-21.

Record vs. Wizards (2006-07) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Wizards have managed to salvage their season despite All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas’ undergoing knee surgery in November. Forwards Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison were selected to the All-Star team, although Butler had been sidelined the last three games and might not play today because of a sore hip.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com