The Los Angeles Lakers and Kyle Kuzma’s near four-year sting together is expected to come to an end before the trade deadline.
The Los Angeles Lakers are well on track to be one of the worst teams in the NBA, maximizing their chances of a high draft pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. As the team is in a clear rebuild, 29-year-old forward Kyle Kuzma has become surplus to requirements. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly looking to move on from him this winter, with Kuzma also eager to find a new destination, according to Marc Stein.
“The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly ‘eager to find a trade partner for Kyle Kuzma”‘ before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. It is believed that Kuzma wants to leave the Los Angeles Lakers as they face a tough 4-22 season and look ahead to the loaded 2025 NBA Draft.”
Kuzma is averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in a down year, having missed the last 10 Wizards games due to a rib injury. While it might be a minor injury, the Wizards are better off keeping Kuzma away from playing time to maximize their chances of outpacing teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans in the standings.
Plenty of teams around the NBA should make a run at Kuzma as a 3-and-D forward with offensive versatility, even though he’ll have to readjust to playing a winning role like the one he had for the Lakers in 2019-20. His role will be determined by whatever team he lands on.
The Wizards forward hasn’t been linked with many teams this season but the Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most commonly named teams when looking at Kuzma’s destinations because he can fit their offensive style while being a better defender. Although this deal would likely involve moving off Keegan Murray, it might be the price the Kings have to pay.
Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors have been interested in the past and might view this opportunity as the perfect chance to add winning talent without breaking the back.
Kyle Kuzma Won’t Be Linked To The Mavericks
Kyle Kuzma could’ve made a Finals run last season as he refused to be traded to the Dallas Mavericks even after the franchise agreed on a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for him. We don’t know which team could land Kuzma, but Stein made it clear that the Mavs won’t be one of those teams taking another swing at a potential Kuzma deal.
“Some rival teams at the G League Showcase inquired about the Dallas Mavericks possibly pursuing Kuzma, as they are exploring frontcourt upgrades, though this has been dismissed.”
The Mavericks need a backup power forward amid non-existent production from Maxi Kleber and Olivier-Maxence Prosper at that spot. While Kuzma would be a major upgrade, it makes little sense for the Mavericks to make a deal sending real assets to the Wizards for a likely backup who won’t be happy on the franchise.
The Wizards can trade most of their roster if they want to but have held on to winning players for seasons before slowly moving off them. While there might be a limited market for someone like Jordan Poole, Kuzma would be a solid get for various franchises in the NBA, just not the Mavericks.
