Former Los Angeles Lakers champion Kyle Kuzma has been wasting away in Washington for three years. Perhaps it’s time his former team gave him a second go-around. With trade talks picking up for the Lakers and their interest in Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas becoming a daily news topic, the big man isn’t the only current Wizard they should be looking at.
Former Lakers Champion Should Join Wizards Center in Trade Interest
Reuniting with 2020 Lakers Champion Kyle Kuzma Could Benefit the Purple and Gold
Jettisoning Kuzma in the Russell Westbrook trade was a mistake. If only they had remained patient with their young star at the time, the Lakers could have reaped the progress and improvement Kuzma has made in Washington. Kuzma has put together his best years in the NBA as a Wizard. Now in his fourth year in Washington, Kuzma has had two consecutive 20-plus PPG seasons (21.2, 22.2). He has proved his worth as an offensive threat and reliable wing player in that time. He was already showing his offensive skills and potential in the four years in Los Angeles before the trade, though. Kuzma averaged double digits in points in each of his first four seasons. Giving up on him eventually came back around for the Lakers, as it should have.
The Lakers have spiraled over the last few weeks. There are a number of players rumored to be in their sights, and Rob Pelinka is under heavy pressure to improve his roster. Valančiūnas has remained the Lakers biggest rumored name to date. However, the big man is not the only Wizard the Lakers should have an interest in, with Kuzma likely to be made available.
If D’Angelo Russell Departs, LA Needs An Offensive Replacement
While Kuzma has improved greatly since leaving LA, his defensive reliability remains in question. That said, there is no question he has turned into a nightly productive scorer capable of creating his own shot. That is an attribute the Lakers gravely need. They need it even more so if they move on from D’Angelo Russell in the coming weeks, which many expect to happen. Despite Russell’s glaring inconsistencies in shooting the ball, he truly is the Lakers’ third-best offensive option behind Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Kuzma could be the ideal replacement if Russell is included in a trade package. He’s been more efficient than Russell this season, is currently averaging more points per game, and is a better rebounder. While the Lakers desperately need to upgrade their defense, they can’t ignore their offensive deficiencies.
One thing of note is Kuzma’s contract extends to the 2026-27 season. The Lakers, or any team interested in trading for him, would have to be willing to take on the next couple of seasons in conjunction with the remainder of this one.
The Lakers have shown interest in a reunion with Kuzma for a couple of years now. NBA insider Brett Siegel recently reported that Washington is open to moving him before the trade deadline. The time might be now for LA to give Kuzma a second chance. He never deserved to be let go, to begin with, and he can be of great use to the Lakers as they try to remain competitive.
