Los Angeles Lakers: 3 trade destinations that could maximize Kyle Kuzma

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 02, 2021 in Sacramento, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after making a basket against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 02, 2021 in Sacramento, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

It has been a long time coming but it appears as if Kyle Kuzma’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers is finally going to come to an end this offseason. At this point, it would be more surprising if Kuzma is wearing the purple and gold next season.

All signs are pointing to the Lakers trading Kuzma this offseason. From Kuzma’s cryptic Instagram comment, to him saying he can be an all-star with a more consistent role to the Lakers reportedly gauging other teams’ interest in the young forward, this does not have the makings of an ongoing relationship between player and team.

It is not to the point of total dysfunction and the Los Angeles Lakers should not trade Kuzma simply to trade him. The team needs to improve if they are going to trade Kuzma, which means that he will likely be part of something bigger. Whatever the trade ends up being, Kuzma is definitely going ot have a singular hope.

Kyle Kuzma should hope that he is traded to a team that better utilizes him than the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kuzma’s role was diminished the second Anthony Davis walked in the door and he never turned out to be the third scorer that the Lakers wanted. While he will likely never be an all-star, there is more untapped potential in his game that the Lakers have not fully utilized.

The Lakers are going to trade him to whatever team makes the most sense for the Lakers. Hopefully, for Kuzma, it is one of the following three teams.