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Los Angeles Lakers: The two reasons why Kyle Kuzma is tradable

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Nassir Little #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the game at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. 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 Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 06: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket on Nassir Little #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the game at Moda Center on December 06, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Lakers won 136-113. 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 Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The chances of Kyle Kuzma being a long-time Laker are slim anyway

The number one misconception about young players, in any sport, is that the young players are undoubtedly long-term pieces to build around in the future that will stay with the organization for years. The fact of the matter is that if Kyle Kuzma really wanted to, he could find his way out of Los Angeles and there are no guarantees that he will be in LA in two years.

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This is not because of Kuzma necessarily wanting out of Los Angeles, but because of his contract. Kuzma has this season and next season before he is set to be a restricted free agent, which is when the Lakers are going to have to make a decision.

Who knows what status LeBron will be at by that time and how many more years he will have in the tank but the hope is that Anthony Davis will still be around and that the team could pursue a superstar to remain atop the league.

Kuzma does not fit into those plans as he will likely get a pretty decent offer from another team that the Los Angeles Lakers would then have to match. And if the Lakers are going to sign someone such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, the team is not going to be able to afford the $20 million per-season salary that Kuzma would likely get.

Kuzma is a fine player and maybe one day he will be a borderline all-star, but in the next two years he is not that and even if he is later in his career, he might not even be a Laker regardless.

Again, the price has to be right, but there is no point for the Los Angeles Lakers to hold onto Kuzma because he could be an all-star caliber player in five years when he will probably be on a different team at that point anyway.

Next. A trade to try for Robert Covington. dark

Luckily for the Lakers, the team and Kuzma is talented enough to win the title with Kuzma. However, if there is a chance to improve (which is likely) then the team should not hold back just because of the attachment to Kuzma.

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