Four Trades To Make Lakers Better!
The Los Angeles Lakers’ four-game losing streak has exposed the team’s need to upgrade the roster with a second playmaker and/or third scorer
The Lakers’ four-game losing streak, the pressure of just two guaranteed years left on LeBron James’ contract, and Anthony Davis’ impending free agency this summer have combined to start the Lakers’ trade clock ticking.
The Los Angeles Lakers desperately need a second playmaker and/or third scorer to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis and separate them from crosstown rival Los Angles Clippers and best record Milwaukee Bucks. Because several players on the roster have de facto no-trade clauses, the Lakers’ best trading chip is Kyle Kuzma. Here are four potential Kyle Kuzma trades that I believe would upgrade the roster and make the Lakers better:
1. Kuzma, Green, Bradley, and Horton-Tucker for Holiday.
Verdict: Lakers improve scoring, playmaking, and defense.
Lakers receive 29-year old point guard Jrue Holiday, who averages 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game, is an elite defender, and can be the #2 playmaker and #3 scorer to complement LeBron and AD.
Pelicans receive two young stars in 24-year old Kyle Kuzma and 19-year old Talen Horton-Tucker, two future trading chips in Danny Green and Avery Bradley, plus 2026 unprotected pick and remove protection on 2021 pick.
2. Kuzma, Cook, and Horton-Tucker for Bogdanovic.
Verdict: Lakers improve scoring and playmaking.
Lakers receive 27-year old playmaking sharp shooter Bogdan Bogdanovic, who averages 14.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game, shoots 38.35 on 7.0 threes per game, and can be the #2 distributor and #3 scorer.
Kings receive two promising young stars in 24-year old Kyle Kuzma and 19-year old Talen Horton-Tucker, who still have two remaining years of salary control that prospective free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic did not have.
3. Kuzma, Horton-Tucker, and Dudley for Davis Bertans.
Verdict: Lakers improve scoring and rebounding.
Lakers receive 27-year old rebounding sharp shooter Davis Bertans, who averages 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game, shoots 44.9% on 8.7 threes per game, and can be the #3 scorer next to LeBron and AD.
Wizards receive two young stars in 24-year old Kyle Kuzma and 19-year old Talen Horton-Tucker, who join Washington’s promising trio of former Lakers picks including Thomas Bryant, Moritz Wagner, and Isaac Bonga.
4. Kuzma, Bradley, and Cook for Redick.
Verdict: Lakers improve scoring.
Lakers receive 27-year old three-point sharp shooter JJ Redick, who averages 15.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game, shoots 45.8% on 7.1 threes per game, and can be the #3 scorer alongside LeBron and AD.
Pelicans receive young star they coveted but could not acquire in Anthony Davis trade in 24-year old Kyle Kuzma who fits the timeline of their young roster plus two quality veteran players who they could keep or flip.
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