The Los Angeles Lakers could target free agent Kyle Kuzma this summer. Today on June 20, 2023, the six-year NBA veteran openly declined his $13 million player option to become a free agent, according to ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The NBA champion has played for the Wizards and the Lakers since entering the league. He has averaged 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 406 regular season games.
Should the Lakers Target Kyle Kuzma?
Other Landing Spots for Kuzma
Potential landing spots for the power forward include the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz. A reunion with the Lakers is also considered a possibility.
“I’m trying to get better every year,” Kuzma said in April. “It’s not about money, I’m going to get paid regardless anywhere [I go] and here, too. It’s about can I come into work every day and be the best version of myself, can I help lead guys, can I make other players better, can I light up rooms? All those things matter when you’re trying to be successful.”
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Kuzma Lakers History
Since being drafted #27 in the 2017 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Kuzma quickly became a fan favorite due to his high-scoring ability. The Michigan native spent four seasons in the league with the franchise, helping them secure an NBA Championship in the 2019-20 season. Amid roster changes, Los Angeles traded Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the 22nd pick to acquire nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook.
Wizards are blowing it up, let's get the gang back together @kylekuzma pic.twitter.com/h2Y1XmixjN
— The CaruShow 🐐 (@BaldMambaSZN) June 14, 2023
What If
If the Lakers could persuade Kuzma to return to Los Angeles, they would have to construct a sign and trade to bring him in. The franchise doesn’t have enough cap space to sign him outright. Other teams have expressed interest in Kuzma, so the Lakers need to offer a package with enough value to entice them. It may cost the Lakers players, draft picks, or both.
Kuzma’s Upside
Since being traded to the Washington Wizards, Kyle Kuzma has shown he can take advantage of different roles on a team. This includes being the leading scorer, and playing a facilitator role, setting up his teammates. Last season Kuzma averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. Aside from his 7.2 rebounds, he also contributed 3.7 assists per game.
His commitment to defense has also been a guiding force, often taking on the toughest assignments, like guarding the most talented players on opposing teams. Kuzma’s versatility has been a critical factor in the Wizards’ success.
Being the third star beside Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis is no easy task. However, Kuzma accepted the challenge, with Beal missing more than 30 games, and emerged as a reliable player in crunch time. He embraced the role instead of fading into the background, which is what star players do. Kuzma’s ability to take pressure off others and excel in his role is exactly what the Lakers need.
Kuzma had a slightly different role on the Lakers 2019-20 Championship team. He was more depended upon to come off the bench and provide energy and scoring. He adjusted to his role and embraced it, taking the pressure off the starters and leading the bench in scoring. This was key to the Lakers’ success and played a major factor in the team’s championship victory.
Should the Lakers bring Kyle Kuzma home? pic.twitter.com/BynqqgVYTL
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) June 18, 2023
Fast forward to 2023-24. Kuzma is being sought as another scorer by the Lakers, this time to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the starting lineup.
Lakers vs. Wizards Negotiations
The competition for Kuzma is real, and at the end of the day, money talks. The Lakers face the challenge of competing with other teams with cap space to sign Kuzma to a more lucrative deal. This is without working around a sign-and-trade.
In order to attract the Wizards to trade, the Lakers need to put together viable pieces, like draft capital. A good thing for the Lakers; with Beal headed to Phoenix, Washington may be more interested in trading Kuzma to start rebuilding. It will be a tough negotiation, but the Lakers are hoping they can steal Kuzma this summer after losing in the Western Conference Finals this year.
