Lakers must pay close attention to this potential trade target vs Wizards
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have been playing really good basketball as of late and for the first time all season, there is actual excitement around this basketball team. If the front office can make a savvy move or two, the Lakers could end up having a much higher ceiling than any fan anticipated.
Instead of a Westbrook trade, it appears that the Lakers are going to first try and work out a deal that includes other assets. This includes Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, a minimum contract and potentially a future first-round pick.
There are several different directions that the Lakers could take with this package and one potential direction includes a player from the team LA plays on Sunday, the Washington Wizards. Playing the Wizards in Washington will give Rob Pelinka and co. a chance to watch this potential trade target closely to make a more educated decision when it comes down to it.
The Los Angeles Lakers must closely watch Kyle Kuzma.
The Los Angeles Lakers are already very familiar with Kyle Kuzma but they should still be watching him with a close eye. While the Lakers traded Kuzma away 18 months ago, the team should not rule out bringing him back as he would be a great addition to this rotation.
Kuzma is having a great season with Washington this year and is really coming into his own as one of the most valuable role players in the league. The former Laker is averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
His three-point shooting has not been great this season, which was always a point of contention in Los Angeles, but he has proven that he can be a viable three-point shooter. Kuzma shot 36.1% from beyond the arc in his last season with the Lakers, which would make him one of the best shooters on this team.
Los Angeles still needs wing depth and getting an athletic slashing wing like Kuzma would be great for the second unit. The Lakers could put together a super athletic second unit of Westbrook and Kuzma that can legitimately swing games together off the bench.
Rob Pelinka would not even need to include Nunn in a potential package and could try to trade him in a different deal. If things start to bottom out for Washington later on, the Lakers might be able to trade an expiring contract in Patrick Beverley with a heavily protected first in order to get Kuzma back in LA.
Regardless, it will be interesting to get a first-hand look at Kuzma as he is having arguably the best year of his professional career thus far.