Los Angeles Lakers: 2 potential trade returns for Kyle Kuzma and KCP

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-fives Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers high-fives Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 after the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors /

The Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly going to be active this offseason and as soon as the NBA Finals ended the Lakers rumors started to accelerate. There were already rumblings on what the Lakers’ plans were and we certainly have outlined many of the different possible directions that the Lakers could take.

One direction that I personally did not entertain much was the idea of trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in any capacity. The longest-tenured member of the Lakers, Caldwell-Pope is one of the few reliable three-point shooters on the team and has been exactly what the Lakers have needed him to be.

He is no star or third scorer by any means, but he is a solid two-guard who can shoot the three and play serviceable defense.

I must have overrated how much the Los Angeles Lakers value Caldwell-Pope as ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Lakers have offered some combination of KCP and Kyle Kuzma to almost every team he has talked to this offseason.

Kuzma is no surprise. It was evident as soon as the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs that it was more likely than ever that Kuzma would be traded.

But what exactly can the Los Angeles Lakers get from a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Kyle Kuzma package?

This is a trade package that has not been explored here on Lake Show Life, so we decided to construct two trades that make sense for both parties. Both of the two teams would be interested in this potential deal for varying reasons and it is our job to explain why.

Let’s get into the fun.

The original version of this article included a third trade for Steven Adams. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Adams was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Eric Bledsoe.