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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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(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Los Angeles Lakers’ best fits for Kyle Kuzma: #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the biggest surprise story of the entire NBA season. The team seemed to be punting on its immediate future after trading both Paul George and Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, respectively.

It blew up and it blew up quickly. And while the Thunder got stacked with draft picks as a result, the immediate success of the team was destined to take a hit.

That was not the case as Chris Paul is playing fantastic as the veteran point guard leader and will pave way for a future all-star guard, and fellow former Clipper, Shai Gilgeous-Alexader. Danilo Gallinari has been great and the Thunder have utilized this unique playstyle of running three guards with CP3, SGA and Dennis Schroder.

While that has worked this season, the Thunder should be looking to make any improvements/changes where it makes sense and a potential swap between Kuzma and Schroder could work out for both sides.

First of all, the Thunder would get a young forward, that like the Pistons in this situation, could extend right away and prevent him from hitting the open market and rising up the price. Second of all, Schroder only has one more year under contract after 2020, so it makes sense to trade him for a controllable asset.

Like Rose, there would be salary hurdles to jump through but Schroder would be a nice addition to the backcourt alongside James and Davis. He has really improved his three-point shooting this season, shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc, and does not necessarily need the ball to be successful, as evident from his season in Oklahoma City.

Gallinari will be a free agent and it is unclear what he is going to do and even if he returns there is a need for a traditional four. This would only be building on what is already a promising future for the Thunder, especially if Kuzma could go to a place like Oklahoma City where he could blossom and reach his full potential.

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