With the desire to keep their title for 2021, the Lakers will have to make trades. Kyle Kuzma, potentially a free agent at the end of the season, could well be sacrificed. Against which package? We take stock.
Author of 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds on average during his second season in the NBA, Kyle Kuzma had to prepare for a new role for his third year with the professionals. Goodbye to a role of scorer in the starting five, and hello to a role of supersub. The result ? 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on average, which is not surprising with the arrival ofAnthony Davis. However, the young interior was not very convincing.
Clumsy in attack, and in particular at three points (31.6%), hazardous in defense and sometimes almost non-existent: Kuzma is clearly not playing at his best level, but he has just won a title. Confident in his abilities, he could be greedy during negotiations future contract.
Indeed, Kuz ‘is a free agent in 2021 if he does not extend his deal with the Lakers for this offseason. Does the front office want to keep it? We imagine so … To better exchange it a little later. Clutchpoints precisely looked at a possible offer with the Pistons! In return, a Derrick Rose could land in the City of Angels. This is what it looks like.
The Lakers trade Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green and the 28th pick for Derrick Rose, Tony Snell and a 2022 second round.
Here, the Angelinos could recover a leader with Rose, very effective this season with 18.1 points on average. One of its strengths? The finish at the circle, where Rajon Rondo was struggling. Snell? A winger who shoots 38.5% behind the arc and who can defend several positions. An appreciable profile, even if there is work.
The pick would be thrown in the lot but it is not very important for the Lakers, quite the opposite of the Pistons who are starting a reconstruction. With this choice and the arrival of Kuzma, Detroit could begin its process calmly. Green would be an asset of experience, and at the end of the contract at the end of the season: therefore no impact on the salary cap.
Another argument? The Pistons have the 7th choice. When compiling the 28th, climbing a few places to pick a LaMelo Ball for example, is a possibility. But for that, it will be necessary to quickly take action.
Kyle Kuzma leaving? The Lakers will have to make a decision about him, and Derrick Rose would undoubtedly be a good idea. To be continued.
