Recent Lakers rumors are that they wanted to keep Kyle Kuzma in trade negotiations, as they liked how he fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
As the fallout from the agreed trade that will be sending Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers continues, Lakers rumors are still swirling about the deal and what will be next.
When the trade is completed, the Lakers will have a good amount of cap space to fill out a roster that has been depleted for Davis. However, one of the young players that did survive the trade was Kyle Kuzma.
The Lakers certainly struck gold late in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft when they drafted Kuzma. Right away, Kuzma showed an ability to score in the NBA, and the Lakers clearly like what they have in him.
Despite the Pelicans wanting Kuzma as well, the Lakers seemed set on keeping him off the table in trade negotiations.
Pelicans happy they got the haul they wanted for Anthony Davis by getting Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three first round picks from the Lakers, per sources. Both teams wanted to Kuzma, but the Lakers see him as a fit with Davis and LeBron James in the front court.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 15, 2019
Due to Kuzma being noticeably cheaper than Brandon Ingram or Lonzo Ball, it makes sense that the Lakers wanted to keep him. By keeping Kuzma, the Lakers will have some more cap flexibility when the trade is completed.
Also, the Lakers seem to like what Kuzma will provide next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the frontcourt. As a forward that can run the floor well and spot up beyond the three-point line, Kuzma provides versatility on the offensive end.
Keeping Kuzma certainly solidifies the frontcourt with James and Davis, but the Lakers are certainly lacking in the backcourt. While James does have a lot of success with the ball in his hands, the Lakers will need a good point guard. Due to the cap space that they still have, that will likely be priority No.1 in free agency.
Kuzma has certainly had a great start to his career with the Lakers. He has been able to show that he can be a great scorer, and the franchise clearly likes him. With free agency right around the corner, we will have to wait to see who the Lakers pair up alongside side James, Davis, and Kuzma.