NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings Both Made Trade Offers Involving Kyle Kuzma

It was reported a few weeks ago that the Sacramento Kings tried to engage the Los Angeles Lakers in trade talks for Kyle Kuzma. According to The New York Times’ Marc Stein, Sacramento was aware it would have to include Bogdan Bogdanovic in any such deal.

The two teams haven’t come to an agreement on a trade, and we now have more clarity regarding those discussions.

According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Kings offered Nemanja Bjelica and a draft pick (year and round not specified) in exchange for Kuzma. The Lakers instead asked to receive Bogdanovic in a Kuzma trade, sparking Stein’s report.

Stein’s initial report confused some, who felt it hard to believe that Sacramento would consider a Bogdanovic-for-Kuzma swap.

Sacramento is among the teams that has tried to engage the Lakers in Kyle Kuzma trade talks, league sources say. The Kings know they would have to include sharpshooter (and soon-to-be restricted free agent) Bogdan Bogdanovic, for starters, in a Kuzma deal
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 6, 2020

The Kings’ guard is probably the better player, averaging 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28.1 minutes per game. Bogdanovic is shooting 36.6% from three-point range.

Kuzma is averaging 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 25.0 minutes per game. The forward is making 33.7% of his three-point attempts. Kuzma averaged 18.7 points per game a season ago, shooting 45.6% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range.

Bogdanovic might be available at the right price since he’s headed for restricted free agency. The Kings gave Buddy Hield, also a shooting guard, a four-year extension with $86 million guaranteed in October. The contract includes $20 million in incentives.

Kuzma is an awkward fit on a Lakers’ team that starts LeBron James, Anthony Davis and a center. Bogdanovic, a sharpshooting guard, makes more sense with Los Angeles’ roster.

Bjelica is seven years older than the 24-year-old Kuzma and has less upside. His ability to stretch the floor, however, arguably makes him a better fit with Los Angeles than Kuzma.

Bjelica is averaging career highs with 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He’s shooting 43.4% from behind the arc. The veteran has made more than 40% of his threes in three straight seasons.

The Lakers have a 3.5-game lead atop the Western Conference standings. The Kings are 6.5 games out of the eighth seed.