NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Could Ship Kyle Kuzma To Chicago For Zach Lavine

The options for the Los Angeles Lakers are getting broader with more players being linked to the team as possible acquisitions. The latest player to be added to the list is rising star Zach Lavine, who could be acquired from the Chicago Bulls at the expense of L.A.'s package involving Kyle Kuzma.

After being in numerous swap talks, Kuzma’s name has since become synonymous with the term “trade.” That said, having the third-year forward attached to the latest fuzz hardly surprised Lakers fans anymore.

After all, the high-flying turned streaky shooter Lavine, who has shown the skills fit to thrive into a winning culture, could end up being the last puzzle piece for the Lakers en route to capturing another NBA title.

Jonathan Kiernan of Fansided’s The Lake Show Life predicts that a deal to gain Lavine would have to cost the Lakers Kuzma, Danny Green, and a draft pick.

“The Lakers need to set their gaze on a more realistic option who can come in and be their 3rd star and who would be happy being that 3rd guy,” Kiernan wrote, before adding the former UCLA standout into the conversation.

“LaVine has shown an ability to be one of the most polarizing players in professional basketball. With dunks that would make Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter blush and a silky smooth jump shot, LaVine flashed potential to possibly be a franchise-altering player,” he added.

On the flip side, the Lakers were so high about Kuzma that the team decided to keep him while the rest of its previous youngsters were sent to New Orleans to land Anthony Davis. With him starting the season on the sidelines nursing an injury, the 24-year-old was unable to gain any traction, to say the least, as he seemed to fail in living up to expectations.

To be particular, Kuzma was shaped to become the Lakers’ third-best option behind LeBron James and Davis. There had been some stretches where he flaunted flashes of his arsenal, which, to be fair, contributed to the Lakers being the best team in the West before the Coronavirus pandemic. However, it is still undeniable that the Lakers could be demanding more from the “third-best guy” on the roster – something that would most likely be addressed by Lavine’s toolbox.

“(Lavine) would be the 3rd piece of the puzzle and what a 3rd piece to have,” Kiernan continued.

“Shooting an excellent 37.5 percent from the 3-point line for his career, Zach LaVine would offer the Lakers a consistent sniper from the 3-point line who can get them 25 points a night easily.

“He also offers the perfect secondary playmaker the purple and gold could wish for. LaVine works as both the primary and secondary playmaker for the Chicago Bulls making him perfectly prepared to play the secondary role for the Lakers. Not to mention, his highlight dunks will be very much appreciated in Los Angeles.”

Lavine was having a career season this year for the Bulls. The former two-time Slam Dunk Champion averaged 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 60 games for Chicago. His stellar numbers, however, still failed to earn him a spot to his first All-Star game.