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

By Jason Reed

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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers pull off a trade with a rival

The Los Angeles Lakers do not trade often with their rivals. The list of trades that the Lakers have made with both the Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings is very short. However, the Lakers could add to that Kings list with a trade this offseason.

A trade for Buddy Hield, that is.

The Lakers have reportedly discussed a Buddy Hield-Kyle Kuzma trade and our very own Ronald Agers did a great job breaking down the Lakers rumors. If you want a more in-depth dive into a potential Hield trade I would definitely check out his article (linked above).

The bottom line is this: Buddy Hield is a solid basketball player that is a bit redundant on the Sacramento Kings. The Kings absolutely overpaid him and they would benefit from turning that large salary into multiple smaller salaries, as well as a boost in draft capital.

They are still getting a young player under team control in Kuzma (who gets to reunite with Luke Walton) as well as a role player in KCP that can be flipped if the team is not making a push for the playoffs next season.

The Kings also move up in the 2021 NBA Draft in this deal. It not only helps sweeten the pot for Sacramento but helps financially as the 22nd pick will make more than the 39th pick. The Lakers, with no other picks in the draft, should want to keep a pick and Laker fans can be confident they will still make a good pick at 39.

Next. Lakers find Schroder's replacement in 2021 mock draft. dark

This trade would have to be done after the NBA Draft. It can be agreed to in principle before the draft, but the Lakers would have to select the 22nd overall pick on behalf of the Kings before including said player in the trade for whoever the Lakers tell the Kings to pick at 39.

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