LAKERS NOTEBOK: KUPCHAK GLAD HE'S STAYING.

Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer

The Denver Nuggets' hiring of Dan Issel as general manager Wednesday erased any lingering speculation that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak might take the position - and at that, Kupchak is relieved.

Kupchak acknowledged Wednesday that he did discuss ``possible employment'' with Nuggets CEO Charlie Lyons but declined to say whether he was actually offered a contract. The bottom line, however, is he's perfectly happy to stay where he is.

``I've always said I have the best job in the NBA,'' Kupchak said. ``I feel comfortable that my future is in Los Angeles.''

Kupchak, 43, prefers privacy to public speculation about his career and said the months of media reports linking him to Denver were ``awkward'' and ``a distraction.''

As the Lakers general manager, Kupchak reports to executive vice president Jerry West, and the two split the duties that most NBA GMs perform, though West has final authority. Kupchak said he does aspire to one day hold the No. 1 position with an NBA club, but he implied that if it happens, it will be with the Lakers.

``Of course you aspire to grow (professionally),'' he said.

Not that he wants to see West, his mentor for 11 years, retire. When that day comes, though, Kupchak will be ready to ascend.

``We have had an incredible working relationship from Day 1. I feel really close to him,'' Kupchak said of West. ``He has shared his deepest secrets about basketball . . . negotiating contracts, how to deal with press conferences, the salary cap. I feel as prepared as anybody to do the job.''

West has intimated he could retire at the end of his current contract, which runs through next season. Kupchak didn't specifically cite that as a factor in staying, but he did say that when he becomes a top NBA executive, he would like it to be with the Lakers, as West's successor.

``If Jerry were 43, then maybe I would look at it differently,'' Kupchak said. ``But we all have to leave at some point in time. I don't know if it will be one year or five years (when West retires), but I'll still be a young person.''

Of the Nuggets discussions, Kupchak said simply, ``If someone calls you, I think you listen.''

But he's not eager to leave.

``As long as I'm motivated when I get up in the morning and can't wait to get to the office, I'm fine,'' he said.

They've got that: West, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant will join Kings Luc Robitaille and Matt Johnson and owners of the Lakers and Kings for a groundbreaking ceremony of the new Staples Center today in downtown L.A.

The $300 million arena, which will house both teams, is slated to open for the 1999 NBA and NHL seasons.