If the Lakers make this deal with the Wizards, they could be able to re-acquire Kyle Kuzma, the former champion, as their third star.
All season long, the Los Angeles Lakers have been searching the market for the best players to help strengthen 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
D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, and the 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL) are acquired by the Washington Wizards.
Received by the Los Angeles Lakers: 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 Are Absolutely Incompetent
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.
The Lakers’ pieces may prompt other moves that help the Wizards optimize their trade return, even though other clubs may outbid them. Whether it’s to coach Bilal Coulibaly or to move him away for more picks and assets, Taurean Prince is averaging 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds as a starter this season. The Wizards should make an inquiry about this player.
The Lakers Incorporate An All-Star Wing That They Know Well
The Lakers have been selective in their player acquisitions since the disastrous trade of Russell Westbrook. Throughout the process, they have attempted to include complementing parts, and a trade for Kuzma accomplishes this goal. As a starter with a tremendous motor who was prepared to put in the grunt work necessary to elevate the team to a contender, Kuzma was a member of the championship-winning Lakers 2020 team.
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.