Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players on the hot seat during the Orlando bubble
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Lakers on the hot seat: Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma was the one member of the young core that was not traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis and that instantly rose his stock. Not only did Kuzma have an impressive first two seasons where he overachieved, but the Lakers were showing that they believe in the young forward.
Because of this, many expected, almost assumed, that Kuzma would blossom into the third star in Los Angeles alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis. That has not been the case, as Kuzma’s fit on the roster is awkward.
Not only is Kuzma creating a positional logjam at the forward position but he also does not do the two things that are needed to thrive alongside LeBron James — play solid defense and shoot a good, consistent, three-point shot.
Someone such as Markieff Morris does fit that billing. And while Kuzma might be more naturally talented, Morris could slide into that role seamlessly, thus making Kuzma expendable. Of course, this depends on what happens in Orlando.
If Kuzma continues to play as he has been and Morris proves to be a better fit then I absolutely think the Los Angeles Lakers will deal Kuzma. There was already so much trade speculation at the deadline and this could be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.
But don’t worry: the Lakers are not punting on the future if this happens. There is a common misconception that the Lakers would be trading Kuzma’s future for 1-2 years of a better player, but that is not the case.
Kuzma is a restricted free agent after the 2020-21 season and with the team needing to offer Anthony Davis a new contract, they probably won’t have the funds to match a deal that he signs with another team; this would be similar to the Julius Randle situation a few years back.