Vujacic update

The Lakers have had daily conversations with Sasha Vujacic's new agent, Rob Pelinka and ``remain optimistic'' about re-signing Vujacic, their restricted free agent, according to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak.

``We're hopeful we can make a deal sometime in the near future,'' Kupchak said.

In the last couple of days, in light of Hawks guard Josh Childress' shocking signing with a Greek team, there has been renewed concern among NBA general managers about foreign teams approaching NBA stars with offers of more lucrative contracts. This is a concern with Vujacic, who is from Slovenia and played professionally in Italy before coming to the NBA, but Kupchak said that he does believe Vujacic wants to remain in the NBA.

``There is a vibrant European market that we're aware of, much more so of late,'' Kupchak said.``I don't think it'll go away soon. Until you have a players' signature on a contract, you're always concerned.

``I do believe he wants to play in the NBA, but he has an obligation to seek out a deal that fits what he wants as a free agent and only he knows what that is.''