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Lakers Hit Major Roadblock in Pursuit of Ex-Player

If the Lakers want to go after Kyle Kuzma this offseason, they might have to mortgage their future.

By Jovan Alford

Apr 19, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1), forward Anthony Davis (3) and forward LeBron James (6) sit on the bench during a timeout during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1), forward Anthony Davis (3) and forward LeBron James (6) sit on the bench during a timeout during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t had many wins this offseason outside of hiring a new head coach (JJ Redick) and drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft. The team has struggled to land any free agents of note, including Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield, who decided to go elsewhere instead of playing for the Lakers.

With that in mind, Los Angeles’ best shot at making a seismic move this offseason, might have to come from the trade market. The Lakers have been linked to Portland Trail Blazers veteran forward Jerami Grant dating back to last month.

However, it may be hard for the Lakers to get Grant out of Portland. Therefore, if LA can’t trade for Grant, former Lakers and current Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma seems like the perfect option.

The Lakers plus two other Western Conference have reportedly been interested in Kuzma since the NBA trade deadline, according to ClutchPoints’ Brent Siegel. However, the asking price for the former Laker forward might be too expensive for Rob Pelinka and Co.

Lakers Rumors: Wizards Have Exorbitant Price for Kyle Kuzma Trade

Siegel also reports that the Wizards remain adamant about wanting multiple first-round picks for the veteran forward after seeing what the Brooklyn Nets got for wing Mikal Bridges.

As things currently stand, Los Angeles has a first-round pick in 2026, 2028, 2029, 2030, and 2031. However, with James almost at the end of his Lakers’ tenure, Los Angeles cannot afford to give up a lot of first-round picks, which the New York Knicks did for Bridges.

Los Angeles has to think about its future and it's not worth pouring four or more first-round picks into a player like Kuzma, who has averaged 20-plus points per game over the last two years in Washington but isn’t a player that’s going to put the Lakers into that contender conversation in the Western Conference.

Pelinka is better off saving those assets for another player around the trade deadline next season if the Lakers have one of the top six spots in the West.

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