INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers have given up forward Jim Chones, guard Brad Holland and two draft picks for Washington free agent Mitch Kupchak, a power forward long coveted by the Lakers.
Kupchak, who formally joined the Lakers Wednesday, signed an offer sheet from the Lakers July 23. The Bullets had 15 days to match the Lakers' offer and either trade or keep Kupchak, or not match the offer and lose him without compensation.
Under free agency rules, the Lakers were not required to offer anything beyond the salary. However, there were reports the Bullets were talking to several teams interested in matching the Lakers' offer of $800,000 year.
Consequently, the Lakers offered Chones, Holland, a 1982 No. 2 draft choice and a No. 1 1983 draft choice if Washington would not match the Laker offer and trade Kupchak.
'The Lakers just didn't want to take that chance,' said assistant Laker coach Pat Riley. 'There were indications that Washington was negotiating with two other teams. It's possible they could have moved him. They sure couldn't afford to let him go for nothing.'
The Lakers reportedly signed Kupchak, 27, to a seven year, $800,000-a-year contract.
Kupchak, a 5-year veteran out of the University of North Carolina, had his best season in 1977-78 when he averaged 16 points and six rebounds a game. A back injury in his third season limited his action to 40 games. He came back last season to average 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
'Mitch is a marvelous player with great enthusiasm,' said Laker Coach Paul Westhead. 'He can do all the hard things -- rebound, dive on the floor for the loose balls.
'Mitch is a welcome addition to our team,' Westhead said. 'Anytime you can find a player with his size and the ability to do the hard things, you have a tremendous asset. He will help put the pieces of the puzzle together.'
Chones, 32, averaged 10.7 points in his two seasons with the Lakers. Holland was a reserve who has made spot appearances in barely half the Lakers' games in two years.
'Brad Holland has a fine future in the NBA,' said Laker General Manager Bill Sharman. 'Our coaches felt the past two years he has learned about the league and served his apprenticeship. He is now ready to blossom.'
Sharman said Chones' play at power forward in 1980 helped the Lakers win the NBA title in 1980.
