Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: What players the Lakers can trade realistically

Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma are the only players that can be included in legitimate “Lakers Rumors”. 

Yes, Lakers fans, it’s true. If the Los Angeles Lakers truly want to upgrade their roster via trade, they would probably have to part ways with Danny Green, Kyle Kuzma or both.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, league executives believe Green and Kuzma are the Lakers’ best trade assets. The Lakers reportedly want a wing player or ball-handler in the event Caruso and Rondo take turns throwing up bricks this season. This bears repeating. Both players have big roles on this roster, so Rob Pelinka probably won’t trade either guy.

But with the trade for Anthony Davis, the Lakers have little to offer by way of draft picks and contract restrictions.

"The Lakers also have a real problem in a lack of trade assets. They aren’t permitted to trade any first-round pick, and they don’t have a second-round pick available until 2023. They don’t have many tradable pieces, and three tradable players — Rondo, JaVale McGee and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — have no-trade clauses. Long story short, they have to play the buyout market, and even then, they currently don’t have a roster spot to sign anyone. Their two biggest trade assets, league executives believe, are Kuzma and Danny Green, but both play important roles."

This brings clarity to why the Lakers are so desperate to see Andre Iguodala get a buyout from Memphis. If he doesn’t get bought out (For reasons, ask Memphis! No clue as to why they won’t let him go!) or he is released and goes to another team (Clippers?) the Lakers will have to weigh options if they want an upgrade.

Kuzma’s recent return from a stress reaction in his foot, hopefully, will fill the Lakers’ expectations of being a reliable wing option for Frank Vogel’s rotation. The best-case scenario for Kuzma and the Lakers is the contribution as a 3-point threat with other intangibles like rebounding and assists. This would be ideal without both LeBron and Davis in the lineup leading the bench.

If he struggles to come back from his injury, his contract is extremely easy to move. Plus with his upside, an opposing GM would be interested to make a deal with options.

Green, meanwhile, is the elite shooter this roster desperately needs. His perimeter gravity will create less-contested opportunities for Davis and LeBron around the rim. Los Angeles can hardly find an upgrade for Green, who’s also a terrific defender. With that being said, Danny Green is the Lakers’ most prized asset to move.

There you have it. On December 15th, 2019, Lakers rumors will start. Many will include Rondo, McGee and KCP. Ignore them. Draft picks? Yes, draft picks can be traded, but the Stepien rule will prevent the Lakers from dealing a first-round pick. They must bank on the buyout market to improve the roster this season.

Pray for Andre Iguodala.