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Los Angeles Lakers: Best fits for an offseason Kyle Kuzma trade

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 22: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets guards Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on December 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 22: Malik Beasley #25 of the Denver Nuggets guards Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on December 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers Kyle Kuzma /

Kyle Kuzma was heavily involved in Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline but ultimately, nothing was made of it and the Lakers continued to hold onto the young star that they kept from New Orleans in the Anthony Davis trade.

Kuzma is going to hopefully look to make a noticeable impact on the quest for his first championship in just his third season, assuming the NBA resumes play at some point this year to finish out the season.

After the season, though, we cannot simply put the Kyle Kuzma trade rumors to bed. Where there is smoke there is fire and if the Lakers find the right suitor for Kuzma, for the right price, then it definitely makes sense to move on from him.

He is a valuable commodity, he just does not fit what the Lakers have going on with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Plus, with only one more year under contract until he is a restricted free agent, Kuzma has not proven enough to get a second contract from the Lakers.

He has survived, thus far. If Kuzma is dealt this offseason, whenever that may be, here are the three best fits that make the most sense.

Los Angeles Lakers’ best fits for Kyle Kuzma: #3 Detroit Pistons

This has more to do with what the Detroit Pistons could offer the Los Angeles Lakers than it does an actual fit. However, the Pistons are likely going to be sellers this offseason and the Lakers could capitalize and use their young assets in a trade.

That player to target is Derrick Rose, and while there would be some hurdles to get over in terms of salaries, he would be an excellent style fit on the Lakers. There is a concern about how much he needs the ball to be successful but adding a dynamic playmaking guard to LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be fantastic.

This, of course, is assuming that Davis comes back to the team. If so, I could see the Lakers getting Rose for Kuzma and one of their pick swaps with the New Orleans Pelicans in the coming years. That pick is not going to be great anyway, as the Pelicans will swap for it if it is, so trading it makes sense.

For the Pistons it would be excellent to get a future first-round pick, even if it is in the high 20s and Kyle Kuzma for one season of Derrick Rose. The future is unclear with Blake Griffin but the Pistons could easily play a frontcourt of Kuzma and Griffin and extend the third-year forward right away to get a cheaper price.

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