The verdict on the Los Angeles Lakers’ side of the trade:
This trade is enticing as the Los Angeles Lakers would be getting a third star on the team, even if it is just for one season. The recipe to winning the NBA Championship in modern days is star power and this would give the Lakers a fantastic big three.
On the surface, this trade makes a lot of sense. The Lakers would be getting a four-time all-star to pair with the best duo in the league. If they do not win the NBA Championship this season then a move like this might seem necessary.
The problem is that DeRozan is not a great fit on the Lakers and I do not think he does not improve the team enough to warrant trading both Kuzma and Green.
You need two things if you are going to be a solid role player alongside LeBron James: three-point shooting and defense, DeRozan has neither. DeRozan is a career 28.3 percent shooter from beyond the arc and his defense is not above-average and certainly does not come close to that of Danny Green’s.
Because of his skillset and him being the third star on the team, I do not think he would offer much more scoring than Green and certainly would not add more scoring than Green and Kuzma combined. With the defense step back from Green to DeRozan, it becomes even less palatable.
I am pro-trading Kuzma as he only has one more guaranteed year under contract and is not a great fit to begin with, but not in this trade. DeRozan has star power, sure, but he is not a good fit on this team.
It makes sense for the Spurs and it makes sense for the 76ers and on paper, most fans might say it makes sense for the Los Angeles Lakers. I disagree, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments down below.