KEY POINTS

  • NBA Rumors: LA Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma Getting Interests In Exchange For Outside Sniper
  • Kyle Kuzma is the Lakers’ third-option for offense next to Anthony Davis and LeBron James
  • Drafted in 2017, Kuzma is a consistent double-digit scorer for LA

Los Angeles Lakers may get an upgrade as a three-point specialist from a nearby city is thrown into the conversation of possible player-swap.

Reports have surfaced that the Sacramento Kings are looking to be the team where the Lakers can unload third-year forward Kyle Kuzma. New York Times’ Marc Stein posted on social media that the Kings are ready to offer Serbian sniper Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Despite being the top team in the Western Conference holding 29-7 win-loss record, the Lakers are still looking to address some of their weaknesses as they are considered to be one of the favorites to win the title with the arrival of Anthony Davis.

The Kings are led by last year’s Lakers coach Luke Walton, and that opportunity can bring out the best out of the University of Utah alum. In the previous season, the 24-year old Kuzma averaged 33.1 minutes for the purple and gold and averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists while shooting 46-percent shooting.

Kuzma is said to be the third option for offense after Davis and LeBron James but after the reports of the front office’s willingness to entertain offers for their 6-foot-8 wingman, they can expect that several players can be thrown on to the table by teams who wanted to include Kuzma to their team.

Drafter 27th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, Kuzma is staying true to his projection as the third best scorer of the team, averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 rebounds but his playing time dipped to 23.5 minutes per outing.

In contrast, Sam Amick of The Athletic said that the Kings are considering the 27-year old Bogdanovic’s role to the team by bringing in the versatility to the team. Without their outside gunner, the Kings have lost all their six games without Bogdanovic and despite his impending free agency, Sacramento appears to be fine with it.

Kuzma is still under rookie contract, earning $1.9 million, which is a big difference to Bogdanovic’s $8.5 million and per CBS Sports, the Lakers can possibly add Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the package to make it work for both squads.

Kyle Kuzma
In this picture, Kyle Kuzma #0, and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during a timeout in the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
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