Lakers Rumors: Should Lakers Nation believe these Kyle Kuzma rumors?

Kyle Kuzma is now placed right in the middle of Lakers rumors for the next month. Whether it’s his inconsistent play or his trainer’s comments, it seems that every media outlet has Lakers rumors of Kuzma going to numerous places. Lake Show Life breaks down what’s real and what’s not. 

What a difference a few months make when you are a member of the Los Angeles Lakers around the trade deadline and those Lakers rumors begin to swirl.

Lakers rumors took on a life of its own when LeBron James signed his contract two summers ago and it was logged into the computer system. Since then, the “young core” of the Lakers time in a purple and gold uniform was short.

Then around this time last year in a 10-day span, the franchise made changes in their business plan in front of the NBA world.

• First, Anthony Davis asked for a trade via Rich Paul, who coincidentally is the agent of LeBron James.
• Second, reports were leaked that LeBron’s camp preferred a coaching change.
• Third, the Lakers rumors were so rampant that it wrecked the locker rooms of the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans’ situation got so bad, they fired their GM Dell Demps.

Why bring up last year you ask? Oh, that’s the past you say. What’s the difference you wonder? Lake Show Life makes it plain and simple. Last year the drama was squeezed into less than two weeks with seemingly the entire roster on the trading block.

This year, the drama has already started and there is only one player that will keep getting mentioned for a month. This player happens to be Kyle Kuzma, who will be the star of the next one million Lakers rumors spread out over the next 30 days.

In the offseason, the Lakers unloaded their young players of the future that included Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart to acquire Anthony Davis. The reports will tell you that the Lakers one exception was to Kyle Kuzma, to build around Davis and LeBron James as their unofficial big three.

The reality is, what saved Kyle Kuzma from packing his bags, was the Lakers got lucky in the NBA lottery and grabbed the 4th pick in the draft to trade instead. So the plan was to keep Kuzma in the fold. Well, until last week.

Reports started to surface that NBA teams were making calls to see if Kyle Kuzma was available.  In the beginning, it was believed that Rob Pelinka and the front office were not interested. But as we all know the Lakers rumors won’t stop until the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

Now according to the latest from Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers went from Kuzma being untouchable to at least taking offers, even if a trade doesn’t appear to be likely, for now.

"Will Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka eventually send him packing to upgrade the Lakers’ roster for a title run? As our Shams Charania reported Friday, teams are monitoring his situation and wondering whether he can be had before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. What’s more, sources now say the Lakers have shown a recent willingness to listen to pitches for Kuzma. And … we’re off — sort of. From the Lakers’ perspective, this open-phone-lines approach is merely a case of Pelinka doing due diligence as opposed to having substantive discussions. If only because nothing of real interest has come their way — yet."

But that didn’t stop questions from coming Kuzma’s way from his name floating around the rumor mill.

Kuzma, if traded, will be the third first-round pick of the Lakers to be shown the door inside of a year. This dismissal will be the full announcement of the Lakers’ plans of the win-now mode this year.

Kuzma was drafted 27th a couple of years ago with a pick acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the D’Angelo Russell deal to unload Timofey Mozgov‘s albatross contract. The Lakers have gotten good returns on that investment, but this season he has struggled to gain the ground lost from his injury suffered this summer with the U.S.A. Olympic team.

Lake Show Life recently did a report of rumored trades that made little sense. Now with Kyle Kuzma in the rumors, let’s take a look at some trade ideas floating around the media circles.

Lakers rumors: Kyle Kuzma, Avery Bradley and a 2nd round pick sent to Sacramento for Bogdan Bogdanovic

The Lakers rumor:

The biggest rumor that will float around the NBA about Kyle Kuzma will be linked to the Sacramento Kings. It makes sense.

Kuzma’s best years were under current Kings’ head coach Luke Walton. Plus, with Bogdanovic’s contract situation coming up, the Kings’ would want to make a deal to flip assets so they don’t have to pay out a huge contract with De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley III’s contracts coming down the line to be dealt with.

Lakers’ reality:

If you don’t believe Lake Show Life (Shame on you!) maybe the Sacramento Bee will convince you.

"A league source told The Sacramento Bee the Kings are unlikely to trade Bogdanovic for Kuzma. The Kings value Bogdanovic’s versatility and they are comfortable with having the right to match any offers for him if he becomes a restricted free agent this summer. Bogdanovic has missed six games due to hamstring and ankle injuries this season. The Kings are 0-6 in those contests. The Kings have until June 30 to re-sign Bogdanovic, who is eligible for a four-year deal worth up to $51.4 million, or he will become a restricted free agent. Bogdanovic, 27, would likely attract bigger offers in free agency. The Kings would have the right to match any offers he receives. Bogdanovic told The Bee in October the Kings offered him the maximum extension, but he has yet to accept their offer. “I would like to stay,” Bogdanovic said. “Everyone knows that I love Sacramento. Everyone loves to be here. It’s a great group of guys. I’m happy right now and I was happy all these years, but I don’t want to rush anything.”"

Now Lakers fans, that’s just a deal straight up. Now try to believe that the Lakers would give up a starter in Avery Bradley, who is the best on-ball defender on the roster. Then throw in one of the few picks that Pelinka has left in the cache.

A fun fact. The last deal that could be found between the two teams was back in 1992-93. For Kurt Rambis. Yes, the one in the front office.

Think that rumor is bad? The next one is laughable.

Lakers rumors: Kyle Kuzma and a second-round pick for Alec Burks and Jordan Poole.

Lakers rumor:

If you haven’t figured out the theme of the rumor mill yet, you will notice any player that has knocked down the 3-point shot consistently for a week will be connected to a deal. The narrative is the Lakers need shooters, so now these rumors won’t sound as crazy.

Let’s move on. Alec Burks is having a good season for the Golden State Warriors. But with the team seemingly having ping-pong balls already painted and the logo card ready for broadcast in June, does anyone care? Someone has to have good stats on a team that stinks.

But the rumor is floating around and here’s why. In just 29 minutes per game, Burks is averaging career highs in all statistics with 16 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The belief is that he can provide scoring off the bench when LeBron James sits.

Lakers’ reality:

Yes, Lakers fans, this is a rumor that was found. It’s hard to believe that Rob Pelinka would give up Kyle Kuzma for a journeyman in Alec Burks even if the Kuz couldn’t hit the side of the barn with a baseball bat. Really folks? How about the throw-in player in Jordan Poole.

Well, Lake Show Life has a long memory.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1185401332905074688

Now to put this in perspective. The Los Angeles Lakers actually waived Zach Norvell Jr. on December 11th, 2019 before he got signed on with the South Bay Lakers. Jordan Poole has been bounced back to the G-League as well based on the fact that he plays terrible defense and is one of the WORST shooters in the NBA.

So the rumor is the Lakers will trade Kuzma to the Golden State Warriors for a player that has bounced around the NBA and a player in Poole that got dropped by Zach Norvell Jr., a player that couldn’t even make the final roster. Twice.

https://twitter.com/espn/status/1183970330714484736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1183970330714484736&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2F2019%2F10%2F15%2Flos-angeles-lakers-4-lessons-104-98-win-golden-state-warriors%2F

Does anyone think Kyle Kuzma is being traded yet?

Lakers rumors: Kyle Kuzma and Avery Bradley for Jae Crowder.

Lakers rumor:

Jae Crowder would be the 3-and D player the Lakers would need if they panicked and believed Andre Iguodala would not be bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies.

It would be a defensive upgrade for the supporting cast coming off the bench. Crowder would be charged with defending the top forward on the opposing team.

Lakers’ reality:

Lake Show Life takes pride in two things. We actually do our research and sometimes look at things for what it is. This deal is totally ridiculous on so many levels.

Number one, Avery Bradley just LEFT the Memphis Grizzlies without so much as a contract offer. Why would they want him back? Plus, with the rumors that Memphis is actually trying to block Andre Iguodala from being acquired from the Lakers, why would the Grizz make a deal with the Lakers?

Now let’s talk about on the court. Does anyone remember the last time Jae Crowder and LeBron played together in Cleveland? It was a disaster. He along with Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Isaiah Thomas did not last the year and were cast off at the trade deadline a few years back.

Don’t let those highlights above fool you. Jae Crowder struggles from the 3-point line. He’s shooting a horrid 32.4% over the last three seasons. The Lakers are better off taking a chance with Kuzma’s off and on shooting from distance. We won’t even go into the price tag.

The last two players were seen in the last two contests over the weekend. Let’s start with a guard that plays for the Pelicans.

Lakers rumors: Kyle Kuzma and Avery Bradley for E’Twaun Moore.

Lakers rumor:

Before the comments section gets flooded with #FakeNews, it bears repeating that this rumor was found somewhere. Now for the explanation. Shooting.

The Los Angeles Lakers need shooting and that is the justification for the rumor. Even though nobody should believe it. You know what the narrative is. Surround LeBron with shooting. No matter what.

Then you justify it with stats.

Over the last three seasons, E’Twaun Moore is 242-of-568 from distance. At 42.6% ranks 3rd among the 118 players with as many attempts in that span.

Lakers’ reality:

Stop laughing! Yes, Lakers fans, there is no way this can work. Granted J.J. Redick is not leaving New Orleans anytime soon. If he does, he won’t be in a Lakers uniform. Bank on that.

Plus, again, why would the Lakers give away their best defender in Bradley for a guy most NBA fans don’t even know? In addition, this is the Pelicans. You know, the team that the Lakers were accused of bullying for their best player? Yes, the tall guy that plays really good with the unibrow? Anthony Davis.

If you want to go deeper than that, do you think Kuzma would even be welcomed in New Orleans?

https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1213341813148409856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1213341813148409856&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D108256%26action%3Dedit

There was a discussion on the “cold shoulder” Lonzo Ball seemingly gave Kyle Kuzma after this game. The topic blew up on social media. This reporter is not hip to social media, but word has it some unfollowing on Instagram is involved here. Please send explanations to the comment section. They will be appreciated.

Finally, the Pelicans don’t need Kuzma. He would be behind Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram if re-signed.

If this rumor doesn’t make you believe Kyle Kuzma will be around all year, nothing will.

Lakers rumor: Avery Bradley and Kyle Kuzma for Langston Galloway

Lakers rumor:

Like Alec Burks earlier, Langston Galloway is having a better season this year than the others. After his first two seasons of averaging 7.5 points, he’s up to 10.9 points, with a decent 3-point percentage.

The shooting Galloway would provide more evidence to the narrative that can’t have too much shooting.

Lakers’ reality:

Lake Show Life promises that we are not making this up. For the price that was stated above, why not chase Derrick Rose (Which still is not a good idea!)? At least he played well enough on Sunday to even justify that deal, no matter how bad it is.

Had enough of the trade rumors that make no sense? Now we can talk about business.

Kyle Kuzma will be in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform. Get used to it.

When Lake Show Life reported that the team was listening to offers for Kyle Kuzma, you’d be surprised how the comments section lit up with angry readers.

Read the fine print. Listening to offers is part of Rob Pelinka’s job description. He’s SUPPOSED to field offers. Anything else would be considered lazy. Something could come across that could help the roster.

The only thing is, there are no such offers available at the amount of money that Kuzma makes.

Did you hear Avery Bradley in any of those scenarios? No. So let’s relax on the Kuzma trade conspiracy theories. He’s better than the players on this list and LeBron James still stands by him. That’s is as of this writing. Check back next week. Things could change.

What about Kyle Kuzma’s trainer? Didn’t he talk trash about LeBron?

If you want to read what really went down, please read this.

It makes little to no sense that the Los Angeles Lakers, sitting in first place in the Western Conference with a 29-7 record with a virtually guaranteed victory against the New York Knicks on Tuesday, would want to blow up the chemistry with changes before the trade deadline.

Even at 11.8 points per game, he’s still one of the top bench scorers on the team. His 3-point shooting percentage is on the rise to 34%. Finally, if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can come out of his slump, so can Kyle Kuzma.

Here’s the bottom line according to The Athletic. Rob Pelinka wants him around.

"There’s another key factor here, too, one that multiple executives polled by The Athletic cited when discussing Kuzma’s situation: Pelinka, who drafted him 27th overall out of Utah in 2017, is widely known to be his biggest backer and is widely expected to be reluctant to move him. There have been many tumultuous times during Pelinka’s Lakers tenure, which began three months before that draft, but Kuzma has been one of his success stories. That kind of personal element can never be forgotten."

So trust Rob Pelinka and be patient.