NBA: 'We will not make a trade' says Lakers GM

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told Newsday that trading one of their two big men, Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard, was not in the books and that the Lakers would be standing pat in the hopes that better chemistry among their stars will result in a playoffs berth. [Related: Gasol, Kobe ignite Lakers to one point win over Pistons] Kupchak had been asked if a trade was in the making, to help the Lakers, currently 10th in the Western Conference at 22-26, three-and-a-half games back of the eighth seeded Houston Rockets, and replied in the negative, saying, "We will not make a trade. We will not trade Dwight Howard. We have no intention of making a trade. It's unlikely that we'll make any trade with any of our principal players. "To make another change at this time of the year, being behind the eight-ball like we are, I think that would just make it more difficult. The talent is there. We have to find our way." In addition to pieces like Steve Nash, Gasol and Howard fitting questionably together, injuries have wracked the veteran Lakers, with all three of those players having missed significant time. Howard, for example, is currently out after re-injuring his shoulder. Kupchak however is not about to use the roster's age as an excuse, arguing, "We don't think they're too old. We have great experience. When I look at our team and I make a list of things that may contribute to our record to date, age is not one of them. I think seven or eight games from now, we'll have more answers. We're trying to get into the playoffs and make a run." Head coach Mike D'Antoni also got a vote of confidence from the GM, who said that the organization is "very happy" with the former Phoenix Suns architect of "Seven Seconds or Less." "I think when he [D'Antoni] took the job, I think he though Nash might be out a week or two. Not two months. Getting everybody on the same page took a little longer than expected, not to say it's been smooth sailing, that's for sure," Kupchak added. LA is currently 5-5 in their last 10 games, 5-1 though in their last six, including most recently, back-to-back wins with Howard sidelined. The NBA trade deadline is scheduled for February 21 (Feb. 22, PHL time). - Adrian Dy, GMA News