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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Danny Green could be traded

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 22, 2020 in New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 22, 2020 in New York City.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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Lakers need Danny Green to package with Kylee Kuzma

If the Los Angeles Lakers make a trade before the deadline strikes then it is likely that it is going to include Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma has been the big name that has been circled in Lakers rumors as he is the last valuable piece from the young core that the team has.

Kuzma was expected to be the third-best player on the Lakers leading into this season but it has been clear that the fit isn’t perfect. Kuzma does not do either of the two things that a player has to do to succeed alongside LeBron: shoot threes and play defense.

Kuzma still has talent and there definitely is potential there, even if he did previously get slightly overrated by Laker fans.

The problem with Kuzma is that he is still on his rookie salary and unless the Lakers get a player in return that is close to Kuzma’s $1.97 million salary then it physically is not possible.

The Lakers are not going to make any kind of improvements with this kind of restriction and thus are going to need to throw another contract into the package. Green’s $14.6 million salary, on top of Kuzma’s, is enough to afford any asset that the team is pursuing.

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