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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is now the franchise X-Factor

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center on March 03, 2020 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers probably will trade Kyle Kuzma. But not for the reason you’d think!

Feel free to raise your hand if your stomach turns when you think of Timofey Mozgov’s and Luol Deng’s huge contracts. They were albatross contracts that Magic Johnson made a mission in life to get rid of. Danny Green’s $15+ million dollar contract will reach that stomach-churning level next year with 40% of the NBA revenue gone without fans in the arenas.

High priced contracts will be a huge discussion on draft night for quite a few teams if they can be offloaded in deals to save money. Danny Green’s contract will have to go. If fans have an issue with Kuzma’s production, there should be a mutiny based on the return of Danny Green’s investment.

Since opening night, when Green went nuts from the 3 point line and the game-saving 3 pointer that saved the road game against Dallas early this season, Green has been inconsistent.

While there is a perceived upside for Kuz, it costs only $1.9 million this year and $3.5 million next season to find out. Danny Green costs a lot more, plus his game has plateaued. How do the Los Angeles Lakers convince a team to take Green’s contract? Yep. Add Kyle Kuzma. That’s the only way Rob Pelinka can make an offer without an NBA GM laughing in his face before hanging up.

Is this fair to Kyle Kuzma? No. But it wasn’t to Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart or Lonzo Ball. When LeBron James arrived, everything changed. Lake Show Life warned the young core their days were numbered.

LeBron brings along expectations, massive media spotlight and a roster blueprint with him that naturally creates more pressure for his new teammates and roster overhauls for NBA front offices.

Anthony Davis is the once in a lifetime player to carry the franchise for the rest of the decade. The Los Angeles Lakers are in business to get stars. In 20-21, they will be looking for another one to help AD when LeBron really decides to hang it up.

Kuzma is good enough to get his money. Whether the Los Angeles Lakers decide to extend him or not, it probably won’t be this offseason. The team’s plan is to keep their salary cap space for the summer of 2021 to get a star free agent. This was before the pandemic came and the financial problems started.

Now, anything is possible.

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