Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers as one of their potential trade targets, and an NBA analyst explained why getting the former Laker back to LA is a solid option.
Earlier, reports of the Lakers’ front office inquiring about Kuzma did the rounds. According to Chris Haynes, Los Angeles was keen on adding the forward back into the mix, and given the team’s lack of shooting, adding the 27-year-old comes as a wise move.
According to Silver Screen And Roll’s Darius Soriano, the Lakers would greatly benefit from Kuzma in their ranks. In return, he wrote the Wizards would get Patrick Beverley and the Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick.
Kuz is one of the archetypes of forwards who can really help the Lakers. While he isn’t elite at any one thing on offense, he can do everything at a reasonably high level to the point that a random 30+ point night isn’t out of the question vs. any level of opponent.
Kuz is also a capable defender and rebounder who would allow the Lakers to not shoehorn a smaller defender onto a big wing or force LeBron into that matchup. Including the pick is the cost of doing business here, and the real battle would be over protections.
I think top-8 is reasonable, but the Wizards will surely push for an unprotected pick (which will be a theme of this entire exercise). I think meeting somewhere in the middle of fully unprotected vs. something like top-15 feels right. That said, I’d be willing to go even lower with the protections in order to secure Kuz.
Since leaving the Lakers, Kuzma has evolved into an efficient shooting machine averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 45.7% shooting, and now he may have a chance to bump up those numbers with a team that could actually use his services.
The Los Angeles Lakers Will Look To Bolster Their Squad With Russell Westbrook In The Mix
The Los Angeles Lakers may not necessarily be trading Russell Westbrook this season, especially after reports of Jeanie Buss’ reluctance to trade the point guard.
Earlier, the front office was exploring three options ahead of the trade window, and one of them included upgrading the squad by finding Westbrook a new home. With Kuzma associated with the Lakers, the think-tank might look at shipping some of the other options on their roster.
However, much depends on whether Kuzma is interested in being part of Los Angeles again. He had earlier stated how moving to Washington was a good move. According to The Athletic:
“Being in Washington is really just helping me be myself. I had to show a shell of myself in L.A., playing with greatness, and rightfully so. That’s what you should do playing on a team with those type of players at my position. Whereas being in D.C. has allowed me to be myself and expand my game, which a lot of people probably didn’t think I was.”
Things look different this time if ‘Kuz Control’ decides to suit up alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis again. Not only will he be one of the more experienced campaigners on the team, but he will also be a crucial shooting component that team has lacked since the start of the season. Safe to say, the Lakers will not be the only team looking to acquire him.
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