Are The Lakers About To Make A Trade?
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, The Lakers are a team to ‘monitor’ for Kyle Kuzma as he reportedly wants out of Washington and wants to play for a big market or with a contender and get paid $20M per season.
Kyle Kuzma reportedly “wants out" of Washington and "he's looking for over $20M/season in a big market or with a contender."
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 12, 2022
The Lakers are a team to ‘monitor’ 👀
(Via @EricPincus) pic.twitter.com/zAbtdzdF5e
Kuzma played for the Lakers from 2017-2021 and was a member of the 2019-2020 championship team, where he averaged 13/6/2. He was then traded for Russell Westbrook, and two future second-round picks in the 2021 offseason, along with Kentavious Caldwell Pope and Montrezl Harrell.
The Lakers seem destined to make a trade, as the team has struggled to stay consistent on the offensive end. Kuzma could be that much-needed scoring threat, as he is averaging a career-high 21 points this season.
Along with being interested in Kuzma, according to Shams Charania, the Lakers are interested in Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Reddish, and Evan Fournier. The interest in Bogdanovic dates back to when he was a member of the Utah Jazz but then was ultimately dealt to Detroit. Bogdanovic is 33 years old and is averaging a career-high 21 points while shooting 51% and 44% from 3.
Lakers are in on Bojan but Pistons say they may want to keep him because they like his leadership(Likely posturing). Shams also says that Lakers are looking at Fournier and Reddish. #LakeShow https://t.co/z20Sci2swa
— The Precious made me do it (@Dbishop1987) December 12, 2022
Reddish and Fournier are both interesting names to keep an eye on. Both of these players were looked at as key members of the Knicks rotation going into this season. Tom Thibodeau, head coach of the New York Knicks, has had both players in and out of the rotation all season long. Reddish has played in 20 games, while Fournier has played in 13 games and is only averaging 7 points per game which is his lowest since his rookie year.
“… the feeling in Detroit is that Bogdanović is here to stay. One Western Conference team, per league sources, already offered Detroit a protected first-round pick, plus filler, for Bogdanović’s services. The Pistons declined.”https://t.co/QfaiC1PYQI
— The Lakers Review (@TheLakersReview) December 12, 2022
Now, what will it take for the Lakers to acquire one or more of these players? According to The Athletic, a Western Conference team offered a first-round pick and other assets for Bogdanovic, but the Pistons declined. Rob Pelinka has also been on record saying that he will only include the first-round picks the Lakers do have to acquire a star.
Woj: “The Lakers are not going to use their 1st round picks unless they can get back an All-Star level player back.” pic.twitter.com/9c7wGSZH2I
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) December 7, 2022
Things are getting interesting in Los Angeles, and only time will tell if a move is made. What do you think? Are any of these players going to make the Lakers contenders?