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Los Angeles Lakers: Why its best that Kyle Kuzma didn’t get traded

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the court after he was fouled in the second half 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: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the court after he was fouled in the second half 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The best-case options were not available

If I were to give you the three best-case options that actually had some traction to get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers I would have named Derrick Rose, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Robert Covington as the three best options.

The Detroit Pistons ultimately decided to hold onto Rose despite the trade rumors, Bogdanovic trade speculation never came off the ground floor and Robert Covington was dealt to the Houston Rockets.

While Kuzma certainly does not have as much value as he did a year ago and everyone is starting to see that, it still is hard to part ways with a young asset when you know you are taking 75 cents for a dollar back in return.

It is ultimately better to hold onto Kuzma, giving the team a wider window to shop the young forward until a better fit opens up. While that does not help the Lakers this season, it can still help them in the near future in their quest of winning a title.

Things happen quickly in the NBA and there are going to be players that suddenly hit the trade market and there are going to be new teams that are a fit for Kuzma. Instead of trading him just to trade him, the Lakers know that the window of opportunity will re-open at some point.

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