If the Lakers execute this trade with the Wizards, they could be able to bring back former champion Kyle Kuzma as their third star.
All season long, the Los Angeles Lakers have been searching the market for the best players to bolster their squad. With many young players on mid-range tradeable contracts and an accessible future selection, the Lakers are well-positioned to make a trade. However, they will be selective in who they target because their upcoming deal might be the final significant one made during LeBron James’s tenure.
Although the Lakers have lost a lot of talented players who went on to have successful careers in the NBA, Kyle Kuzma’s departure has to rank among the biggest. Kuzma was moved to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Russell Westbrook after being blamed for the disappointing 2020–21 season despite being a key player in the 2020 Lakers championship victory. Although the Washington club has been among the weakest in the NBA, he has subsequently balled out there.
Kuzma’s suitability for LeBron James and Anthony Davis is a known factor, therefore the Lakers must bring back a player who they believe would work well with the Wizards.
Trade Details
Washington Wizards Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyle Kuzma
The Lakers acquired Westbrook without having to give up a first to Washington, but if they want to reclaim Kuzma’s hustle and two-way play, they will need to give up one.
The Wizards Completely Bottom Out
The Pistons and Spurs have been awful, so the Wizards have somehow exceeded the presumption that they are the worst NBA club going into the season. Already, their Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole combination has been a disastrous mistake, with Kuzma being miscast as the team’s best player. His skill set will shine next to players who know how to set him up, but he has demonstrated that he can be a nightly 20-10 danger in this scenario.
Although the Lakers’ pieces may prompt other transactions that enable the Wizards to optimize their trade return, other teams may outbid the Lakers. This season, Taurean Prince has averaged 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while starting for the Wizards. However, the team might consider asking for Taurean Prince in order to either coach Bilal Coulibaly or trade him for more picks and assets.
Other clubs might outbid the Lakers, even though their assets might spur more deals that allow the Wizards to maximize their trade return. Taurean Prince has started for the Wizards this season, averaging 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. In order to coach Bilal Coulibaly or trade him for further selections and assets, the organization may, nevertheless, think about asking for Taurean Prince.
The Lakers Add A Do-It-All Wing They’re Familiar With
The Lakers have been selective in who they target to bolster their squad after the disastrous sale of Russell Westbrook. Every step of the way, they’ve attempted to bring complimentary components, and a deal for Kuzma accomplishes just that. Kuzma was a starter with an exceptionally high motor who was eager to put in the grunt effort necessary to elevate the Lakers 2020 squad to the title game.
After improving his game over the last two and a half seasons, Kuzma is averaging 23.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this season. Compared to his last season with the Lakers, he is far more assured as a scorer, developing into a three-level scorer with a highly consistent jumper. Despite playing for a losing team, his defense has been mediocre; nonetheless, he still exhibits flashes of excellent defense at all spots. With Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura’s one-way play, the Lakers sorely need someone like him—a Swiss Army Knife for their front line.
With Austin Reaves, Anthony Davis, and either Hachimura or Vanderbilt on the court with Kuzma and Davis, Kuzma could either start alongside James in the frontcourt or free up James to resume his role as a full-time point guard. This would provide them another scoring option in addition to raising their defensive ceiling—something the Lakers’ current trade candidates do not offer.
Would This Be The Right Move For LA?
This season, the Lakers have mostly focused on guards; Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray are presently their top targets. However, James may still be the team’s main facilitator, like he was in 2020, and the Lakers can strengthen their frontcourt rotation. James can be the primary playmaker and share ball handling duties with Reaves while the Lakers recruit backup guards like Jaylen Nowell to provide scoring and secondary ball handling.
Additionally, Kuzma can play across the front line, including small-ball five in some lineups, giving the Lakers more flexibility. Although it seems unlikely that the Lakers will employ him in that manner, he can be an excellent supporting player on the court when LeBron and AD are both available. He can also use more latitude in his bench lineup choices to keep the Lakers competitive even when their starters are sitting on the bench.
A move like this would undoubtedly help the Lakers, who are currently 17-17 and the 10th seed in the West, start climbing the standings.
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