Lakers Reportedly Listening to Trade Offers Involving Kyle Kuzma
By Sean Facey
The Los Angeles Lakers might sit comfortably atop the Western Conference standings, but they're still looking to improve and round out their roster.
They might even be willing to ship out a young star to do it. According to Sam Amick, the team is listening to offers on former first-round pick Kyle Kuzma.
The Kyle Kuzma quandary: Sources tell @TheAthletic the Lakers are listening to offers for their young star, but will they make a move? From the history here to the LBJ factor, exploring the many layers of this situation that has Rob Pelinka’s phone ringing https://t.co/TLJqACY03F
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 5, 2020
For all of his upside, though, this year has arguably been the worst of Kuzma's three campaigns in the league. He's averaging just 12.1 points per game, well below his career average of 16.6, and he's shooting a career-low 42.5% from the field.
The regression is largely due to the fact that he's no longer a starter, but his mediocre showings now have the Lakers willing to ship him out in the hopes of building a better team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Plenty of teams would be more than happy to acquire a young star like him who still has plenty of potential.
Lakers are "listening" to offers for Kyle Kuzma, per @sam_amick
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) January 5, 2020
GM Rob Pelinka is expected to be reluctant to move the 24-year-old. pic.twitter.com/SdX5J7eGRL
There's also a much shadier element lurking in the background. Kuzma seems to have been at odds with James at times this year, though neither of them have acknowledged that there's any tension. Will Kuzma stay or go? Lakers fans hope to find out soon.