Los Angeles Lakers news features general manager Mitch Kupchak's statements on how he still believes that the Purple and Gold NBA team is still a championship franchise.

Kupchak spoke to the Los Angeles Daily News about his team's status and how he thinks they will fare in the future, despite a dismal season for 2014-2015.

"We're still going to pitch that this is a championship franchise," Kupchak confidently said about the Los Angeles Lakers news. "As long as Kobe is on this team, we have to believe we can contend for a championship."

The Lakers prematurely lost Kobe Bryant's services after suffering a fracture in his left knee in December, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season.

This consequently led to the Purple and Gold team missing the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2004.

But Mitch Kupchak is confident that despite the long, and could be grueling process of rebuilding and getting back to their top-level competitive form, they will be able to succeed.

His first order of business is to find a new coach to replace the seat left by Mike D'Antoni. His candidates of choice are veteran names such as Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry, Mike Dunleavy, among others.

"We narrowed it down a bit," Kupchak said, speaking about the Los Angeles Lakers news. "We're comfortable we can secure a coach that we're very pleased to have."

The Los Angeles Lakers are also looking to beef up their line up by adding two top-tier players who both opted of their respective contracts; LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

"If any of those players want to make a move, we're prepared," Kupchak said in general terms about high-level free agents. "When we get word, when we're allowed to get word, we'll go all out."

The team's general manager also shed light on whether forward Pau Gasol will be suiting up for the Purple and Gold Team next season. Overall, Kupchak is also optimistic that their big man will be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"It's going to depend," Kupchak continued. "Pau and I spoke a lot during the season, a lot during the postseason. And we let him become a free agent. And I know it's something that he's looking forward to."

"He loves Los Angeles and he'd love to stay here," he added.