Mike Trudell
Lakers Reporter

As guests of the organization at the beautiful Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas over the weekend, several Lakers sponsors were thanked for their support of the team first by way of an entertaining party at the Mirage Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat on Saturday evening.

Cocktail parties, continental breakfasts and a poker tournament snuck into a schedule that culminated in L.A.'s preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at Thomas and Mack Center on Sunday evening.

The other main attraction of the weekend featured Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who addressed the sponsors Sunday morning at the Danny Gans Theatre, to preview the season and answer wide-ranging questions about the squad. Here's a summary of the Lakers State of the Union of sorts, hosted by broadcaster Stu Lantz:

A) Kupchak opened the dialogue by briefly touching on last year's NBA Finals: "Although it was difficult to lose, we think we have a very bright future." He explained that the offseason was about getting everyone healthy - particularly Andrew Bynum - and shoring up the roster, which he feels confident was executed. Not only were the Lakers without Bynum in the playoffs, but they were largely without the services of Trevor Ariza.

B) The GM explained that Ronny Turiaf left the team in part because the 25-year-old didn't see himself having the opportunity to play more than 8-to-12 minutes a contest with players like Pau Gasol and Bynum in front of him.

C) Kupchak and his staff really wanted to see what Sasha Vujacic could do heading into last season, which was part of the impetus for the Maurice Evans - Brian Cook for Trevor Ariza deal with Orlando. Clearly, Vujacic showed that he deserves solid minutes in the NBA, even on a team as deep as the Lakers, and Kupchak said he expects 20-25 minutes a night to go Sasha's way.

D) Kupchak spoke both about Sun Yue's talent and limited strength, but is encouraged by his potential. On the other hand, strength isn't a problem for Josh Powell, who according to Kupchak is expected to make the roster. Battling it out for the final spot or two will be Coby Karl, Brandon Heath, Joe Crawford and C.J. Giles, though Kupchak didn't hint which player it might be.

E) To wrap up his season preview, Kupchak mentioned that Phil Jackson will spend the rest of the preseason and probably the first several games of the regular season tinkering with the lineup to see what works best, though Kupchak does expect the guys who will be playing the most in the regular season to see more action in the final three or four preseason tilts.

Next came a question and answer session, in which various sponsors - who also happened to understand the dynamics of the team - rose to a microphone to address Lantz and Kupchak. Here's a sampling:

Q: Many journalists and fans speak highly of the trade made with Memphis that brought Gasol to L.A., but can you talk about the deal that put Trevor Ariza in purple and gold?
Kupchak's (paraphrased) answer: We had too many players on our roster, heard Trevor was expendable in Orlando and really liked him ... Not only did we acquire his various abilities, but Maurice Evans was taking minutes from Sasha Vujacic and we really wanted to open those mintues up for Sasha. Trevor is a free agent this coming offseason so it's an important year for him.

Q: Last year in the Finals the Celtics pushed the Lakers around in the finals. Is there a player on the roster that can change that or do you need to go get one?
Kupchak: We think Andrew Bynum brings that physical presence ... He's 7-1 and about 295 pounds, and should change a lot of things for us in the paint.

Q: Can Lamar Odom really play point guard?
Kupchak: The Lakers' offense doesn't really have a point guard, but instead uses two guards to bring the ball up the floor and set up the offense. The only time you might need or want a point guard is leading the fast break, and we think Jordan Farmar can do that ... The only issue would be who would Lamar and other players guard defensively, but we like to say that they also have to find a way to match up with us. So yes, I think Lamar can set up the offense.

Q: How do you feel about the current roster? Is it set?
Kupchak: Like I said before, our future is very bright ... It will be an important year for Farmar because Derek Fisher is our lone player who is getting up there in years at 35.

Q: Which Lakers player will we see in a broadcasting booth after his playing career?
Stu Lantz took this question and told a story about a time a few years back when he had to step into Chick Hearn's role, and needed a player who wasn't playing that night to handle the color analysis. That player was so good that Lantz told him he'd better stay healthy for a long, long time and continue his playing career. That player was Derek Fisher, a "bright, diligent person" whom both Lantz and Kupchak said would have an easy transition to either broadcasting or coaching.

Q: What would be your Lakers 2-on-2 squad if you were to challenge the rest of the league?
After stating that he'd like to have Fisher on any team he was on, Kupchak decided on Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Agreed.

Lantz and Kupchak subsequently thanked the Lakers sponsors and the Mirage hotel for a terrific weekend, which would culminate in the preseason game against the Kings a few hours after the discussion concluded.