Lakers gamble chemistry in Derek Fisher trade

Fisher's leadership void can be filled from within, Kupchak believes.

"Derek took the more gentle approach," Kupchak said. "Kobe is not going to change. (Coach) Mike (Brown) is going to have to be more of a leader. It certainly could be Pau, and it could be Andrew (Bynum)."

The Lakers acquired Sessions and Christian Eyenga, who is expected to play for Los Angeles' D-League team, from the Cavaliers for veterans Luke Walton and Jason Kapono, clearing the Lakers' logjam of veteran small forwards who hadn't played much for Brown.

Los Angeles got backup big man Jordan Hill from Houston. Kupchak said Hill, the disappointing eighth overall pick by New York in 2009, will get a chance to improve the Lakers' frontcourt depth.

The Lakers saved money in the deals, clearing Walton ($6.1 million) and Fisher ($3.4 million) off next season's books and shipping out two first-round draft selections who won't have to be paid next year. The Lakers no longer have the NBA's highest payroll this season, but Kupchak said the Buss family won't shy away from making the Lakers better.

"Dr. Buss, he's paid a luxury tax here for as long as I can remember," Kupchak said. "He never gives me a budget. .... I think he'll continue to make acquisitions, but certainly the financial part of this business can't be ignored."