NBA TradeNews

Lakers 1 Of 4 Frontrunners For Potential Kyle Kuzma Trade With Wizards

Lakers 1 Of 4 Frontrunners For Potential Kyle Kuzma Trade With Wizards

Kyle Kuzma signed a long-term deal with the Washington Wizards this summer.

Between that contract extension and the acquisition of Jordan Poole, the mission for Washington was clear: proceed with a rebuild while putting a fun product together on the court.

Unfortunately, the second part of that plan hasn’t really been enacted thus far this season. The Wizards are 6-26 after 32 games and have been an absolute chore to watch. Even when OF models show up and sit courtside the outings are tedious and boring.

As a result of all that – changes may be coming.

As noted by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Kuzma is viewed as a favorable potential trade target around the league.

“The four-year, $90 million deal they signed with Kyle Kuzma in free agency is considered quite valuable among rival personnel and could bring back some legitimate first-round draft capital for the rebuilding Wizards,” he noted.

Four frontrunners for Kuzma’s services have emerged if the Wizards do decide they want to trade him.

The first is the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. was briefly linked to Kuzma this past offseason, and the skills he would bring to the table continue to be ones that the Lakers need at the moment. Specifically, his offensive prowess. He is averaging 23.1 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

That being said, the Lakers are one of four frontrunners for Zach LaVine, one of three for Trae Young, and one of two for Dejounte Murray. In addition, they have been linked to a huge three-team blockbuster trade. Those moves obviously take priority.

If not the Lakers, the Indiana Pacers could make a lot of sense as well. They are currently ranked sixth in the East and Kuzma could prove to be a perfect complement to Tyrese Haliburton. His offense and rebounding alone could push Indiana up a few notches in the conference.

The San Antonio Spurs are another team Kuzma was linked to this past offseason. He could prove be an ideal pairing with Victor Wembanyama’s emerging skillset.

Finally, don’t sleep on the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs have been linked to a lot of high-profile trades over the past few weeks, but Kuzma is probably the most realistic of the set. He would really help space things out when Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic are doing their thing.

One way or another, it is increasingly looking like Kuzma won’t be in Washington for the entirety of his contract. Where will he end up when it’s all said and done? Time will tell.

Related: Alabama Cheerleaders’ Explicit Gesture Goes Viral After Michigan Loss

Anthony Amador

A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
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