The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked in a potential trade involving small forward Kyle Kuzma, but that possibility looks more unlikely by the day. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, they would trade Kuzma only for a ‘high-end rotation player’.
The New York Knicks were one of the teams linked with a move for the young player.
“I haven’t gotten a sense that they’re actively trying to shop him or get rid of him. His low-cost contract makes any deal hard. My sense has always been that the Lakers would only move Kuzma for a high-end rotation player,” Charania said.
Shams Charania on Kyle Kuzma: "I haven't gotten a sense that they're actively trying to shop him or get rid of him. His low-cost contract makes any deal hard. My sense has always been that the Lakers would only move Kuzma for a high-end rotation player." https://t.co/oK6sC1drLg
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 4, 2020
Contrary to what happened during Kuzma’s two first years with the Lakers, this is the first season he’s part of a team with real championship aspirations. However, he could be used as a currency exchange for the Lakers in a potential deal.
They’ve been linked to Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Rose, free agent guard Darren Collison and Memphis Grizzlies forward Andre Iguodala, who hasn’t played a single game all season.
Kuzma is averaging 13.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 39 games this season. He’s shooting 43.2 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from beyond the arc and 74.3 percent from the free-throw line.
