Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Team listening to offers for Kyle Kuzma

Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Kyle Kuzma, who the team has reportedly shown a willingness in listening to trade offers for.

Despite the Los Angeles Lakers leading the Western Conference with a record of 29-7, Lakers rumors continue to persist about the state of the roster. The Lakers are winning plenty of games, but there could still be some upgrades made to the roster.

Given the fact that they have a full roster and are depleted of future assets, which they surrendered to land Anthony Davis, it will be difficult for the Lakers to make any trades. One player who could net the organization something of value in a trade is Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma was a first-round pick of the Lakers in 2017, acquired in the D’Angelo Russell deal, along with Brook Lopez, from the Brooklyn Nets. He has out-performed that draft position thus far, but this season he has struggled to acclimate to his new role consistently.

Injuries have also played a part in Kuzma’s struggles, as he started behind the eight ball because of a stress reaction in his leg suffered during Team USA Training Camp in August. An eye injury and ankle injury were also suffered during the season.

We have seen glimpses of Kuzma showing what he can do as the focal point of the second unit. He is the third-leading scorer on the team, behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James, at 11.8 points per game. His 3-point shooting percentage has risen back up to 34.6 percent this season, but his overall efficiency has dropped to 42 percent, which would be a career-low.

Despite the inconsistency, Kuzma is one player that other teams are interested in acquiring. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers have shown a willingness to listen to trade offers for Kuzma.

There are a few reasons the team could be softening on their stance of holding onto Kuzma, the only part of their young core they wouldn’t part ways with, in the Davis deal.

One reason could be what his trainer said about James following the team’s Christmas Day game with the LA Clippers. Another reason is that, based on some analytic stats, the Lakers are actually better with Kuzma on the bench. That isn’t solely Kuzma’s fault, as the lineup combinations are partly to blame, but that certainly isn’t a great look.

While the Lakers are listening, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything is imminent. General manager, Rob Pelinka, is a big fan of Kuzma’s, which shouldn’t be too surprising. As long as Pelinka continues to have Kuzma’s back, it is difficult to envision him being traded away.