NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers open to moving Kyle Kuzma?

NBA Trade Rumors: After getting off to an up-and-down start to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly open to moving Kyle Kuzma

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly “open to listening” to offers regarding what remains of their young players, Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma has had a rather up-and-down season as far as expectations are concerned, and many are starting to believe that the Lakers would be best suited to allocate some assets elsewhere even if that does mean moving on from the Flint, Michigan native.

It may take a decent haul, and maybe more than fans may expect, in order to lure the team into trading their current 6th man and most valuable bench piece. Kuzma likely does not see himself as a sixth man, maybe rightfully so, but as presently constructed that’s his most optimal fit with this group who is undoubtedly in a win-now situation and competing with some elite teams for a spot in the NBA Finals this year if healthy.

Kuzma’s self-image, the fact that he’ll be due for a rookie extension soon, and the somewhat idiosyncratic fit he has with this current roster are all things that may go into deciding whether or not they pull the trigger on a trade.

I call the fit idiosyncratic simply due to the fact that Kuzma is nowhere near a ball-handler or a shot creator, but simply someone who’s good at scoring. The Lakers all but lack a true point guard outside of course letting LeBron James handle that, and the older yet effective Rajon Rondo on the depth chart. I’ve said going into the season and in several pieces throughout that the Lakers lack a true on-ball threat to either score himself or create shots for others, and that’s still the case.

They’ve cruised to their elite record under the leadership of two very generational talents in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but we know it’s never good to put all our eggs in one basket, or I guess in this case, two baskets.

A few players that come to mind fitting this mold may be the likes of Jrue Holiday, Dennis Smith Jr. maybe? I doubt it, but hey, Derrick Rose if the Andre Drummond rumors are true and they really do begin to blow it up. Jeff Teague? Has Mike Conley soured on Jazz Fans yet? Chris…Paul maybe? Names like these come to my mind, with players like Teague, Paul, Jrue or Rose being most likely. The question is do the Lakers even have enough to give or pair with Kuzma to attract any of these teams to their offer?

The team stripped itself of assets in order to obtain Anthony Davis, and rightfully so, but this now leaves them in a relatively helpless situation when it comes to future trades.