Los Angeles Lakers cannot let Kyle Kuzma stop Anthony Davis trade
The Los Angeles Lakers sound like they are making progress on a trade for Anthony Davis and they cannot let one player stall those talks.
Despite not making the postseason and with the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors going on, the Los Angeles Lakers found a way to dominate headlines. While things started off negatively, as they revamped the front office and coaching staff, things have taken a more positive turn.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Lakers had re-engaged the New Orleans Pelicans in trade talks revolved around Anthony Davis. Los Angeles wasn’t alone, as the Boston Celtics were also looking to acquire the former Kentucky Wildcat.
Some potential packages were also revealed. To land Davis, the Lakers were making Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft available. For Pelicans fans, that has got to be a tough pill to swallow, as that package is a far cry from the package that was offered prior to the NBA Trade Deadline.
The Lakers want to hold onto Kyle Kuzma, which makes sense. Los Angeles seems to be bidding against themselves basically, as only the Celtics have been mentioned. As Marc Stein of the New York Times reports, the third team involved in the trade will impact the package the Lakers have to surrender.
My sense is that the Lakers, to this point, have tried to keep Kyle Kuzma out of the talks and the full package New Orleans would receive in an Anthony Davis deal obviously depends on what the third team provides
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 12, 2019
There is no doubting that the Lakers got a steal in Kuzma when he was selected with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He has shown improvement in his two years in the league and has become a legitimate go-to scorer for the Lakers.
Kuzma averaged 18.7 points per game in his second season in the NBA and fit in well alongside LeBron James. If he can refind his 3-point stroke he had during his rookie season, when he knocked down 36.6 percent of his attempts, he will easily become a 20-point per game scorer.
The Lakers see the potential that Kuzma has, but the Pelicans are high on him also. Despite that, the Lakers are holding out, at least right now, according to Stein.
The Lakers, thus far, are sticking to their no-Kuzma trade posture ... but let’s see if they maintain it with the draft only a week away now. L.A. knows it likely needs to land Anthony Davis before June 30 to become a factor in chasing a prime free agent to join a LeBron/AD duo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 13, 2019
While Kuzma is a good player, the organization cannot allow that to be the reason they do not land Davis prior to the NBA Draft or when free agency gets underway. If the Pelicans insist on getting Kuzma, the Lakers should then remove Ingram or Ball from the offer.
Los Angeles shouldn’t offer up all three and Josh Hart, but if the Pelicans want Kuzma that should not be a sticking point. No disrespect to Kuzma, who has played well, but he has arguably the lowest ceiling out of Ingram, Ball and himself. In addition, Davis is on another level. He would instantly make the Lakers playoff contenders with a chance to further improve the roster.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
If a deal is agreed upon to acquire Davis, the team could still round out the rest of the roster with money to spend in free agency. Davis and LeBron James are a strong selling point for any free agent.
With how things have gone in recent years, the Lakers should do everything they can to land Davis. Paul George was ticketed for the Lakers before the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired him and showed him enough to stay there. Kawhi Leonard wasn’t acquired from the San Antonio Spurs and he looks like he won’t be wearing purple and gold next season either.
The front office cannot allow that to happen again with Davis. A deal is there to be made. If the Pelicans insist on Kuzma being included, the Lakers should have no hesitation adding him to the deal, but on their own terms.
Trade negotiations were one of the things people were worried about given the state of the Lakers’ front office. However, if they are able to acquire Davis without trading all four of Ingram, Ball, Kuzma and Hart, that should be considered a victory.
3 Players To Trade For If Anthony Davis Trade Is Missed. dark. Next
Surrendering only two players and one or two draft picks for a player of Davis’ caliber will give the organization a path to follow once LeBron James’ contract expires.