NBA News: Lakers Young Star's Eagerness To Prove Doubters Wrong Sparks Trade Speculations

The future of Kyle Kuzma with the Los Angeles Lakers remains unstable, and pundits feel that the 25-year-old could be a candidate for a trade.

After a disappointing 2020-21 NBA season, the Lakers are expected to change it up and address internal issues. But as most know, doing that is easier said than done.

With most of the money committed to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the franchise does not have much financial flexibility.

Hence, the recourse would be to include some players and future assets to take in a talented player from the market.

One pawn that most see would interest rival NBA teams is Kuzma.

Since joining the Lakers in 2017, Kuzma has gone hot and cold. Considering the team has two superstars in James and Davis, stepping up and taking the lead have been hard to come by for the 27th pick of that year's NBA Draft.

With ex-Lakers teammates such as Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson and Lonzo Ball coming out of their shells, the same may be needed for Kuzma if he is dealt away.

Hence, it could explain why he gave a cryptic response to an Instagram post by @balldon’tstop.

“Kyle Kuzma had to alter his entire role and approach when the Lakers got AD and LeBron and it led to an NBA title. Unfortunately in today's casual world, this can lead to folks thinking someone isn’t a good basketball player and forgetting all about who they were when they got to play to their strengths. He will get back to his true self soon. Just watch,” the post read.

The one-time NBA champion responded with “Sooooon,” and such has sparked speculations that he could be moving out of Los Angeles soon.

It is worth noting that the 6-foot-10 forward signed a three-year extension that would keep him in Los Angeles until the 2023-24 season.

He could be a trade chip although his response could be hinting at something else.

Like most, it could be that he is promising to work hard this break and bounce back for the Lakers next season.

But if the young cager wants to truly come into his own, critics feel that he can only do so if he can escape the shadows of the club's marquee names and join a team where he can get more playing time and touches.