Kyle Kuzma has been the topic of many trade rumors throughout the 2019 season as it has grown increasingly apparent that he is not a great fit alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He is a talented, young player, but what he brings to the team is redundant with what the team has in LeBron and AD.
This led many to believe that the Lakers would trade Kuzma before the NBA Trade Deadline, but it ultimately was not meant to be. Kuzma stuck around to help the Lakers in their quest for the NBA Championship, but his long-term position on the team is not guaranteed.
If the right deal presents itself, the Los Angeles Lakers very well could look to fill Kuzma for help in the backcourt, which would benefit the team more. The Lakers could use another shooter, another solid wing defender or a secondary playmaker unless they trust Rajon Rondo to have that role again next season.
The Los Angeles Lakers could look to add those things in the 2020 NBA Draft. However, it would be easier for the team to find a stretch four than it would be to draft a guard that can instantly fit in as a secondary playmaker.
If the Los Angeles Lakers find a trade partner for Kyle Kuzma then they could look to replace him in the draft.
Of course, all three of these prospects would only be targets if the Los Angeles Lakers traded Kuzma, and if the team can find someone who can contribute in the backcourt with a late first-round pick, then they are more likely to go that route.
But if they do go the route of trading Kuzma and drafting a replacement, here are three potential options to keep an eye one — one would have to fall in the draft, one is right around a late-first value, and one is a second-round option that the team could either reach for or trade down for.