Mitch Kupchak, after 36 years, says goodbye to the Los Angeles Lakers

Posted Feb 28, 2017
Mitch Kupchak was ready. He was going to be a Laker for life. Not the king of Los Angeles or even a member of the marquee group, but it was enough. The season was 1981-82, and the 26-year-old Kupchak (newly outfitted with a seven-year, $6.3 million free-agent deal given to him by Los Angeles basketball chief Jerry West) was set to be the team’s power forward of the 1980s. (Yahoo! Sports)

Related: Basketball, Basketball Recruiting

Newsletter: Caleb Wilson's Bad Break, Malloy Smith Commits, Luka Catches Fire, Heels Fall at Duke
UNC Basketball experienced a big win and a big loss, landed a commitment from combo guard Malloy Smith (son of Kenny Smith), Caleb Wilson broke...
Mon Mar 9, 2026

Video: Locked On Tar Heels - Out-Efforted?
UNC Basketball fell to Duke after a pivotal injury sidelined Caleb Wilson for the season, but is effort now the Tar Heels’ biggest concern? Isaac...
Mon Mar 9, 2026

UNC Teammates React to Caleb Wilson’s Season-Ending Injury
When Caleb Wilson learned he needed surgery, he was crushed. He realized that his time as a Tar Heel was over. He couldn't play at...
Mon Mar 9, 2026

Video: Coast To Coast Podcast - UNC Basketball Resets for the Postseason
UNC Basketball achieved a perfect home record this season by beating Clemson on Tuesday then got steamrolled at Duke. To pour salt in the wound,...
Mon Mar 9, 2026