NBA Trade Predictions: Lakers Will Move Kyle Kuzma, Warriors Keep D'Angelo Russell At 2020 Deadline

Rumors are starting to heat up with the 2020 NBA trade deadline less than a month away. It appears unlikely that any superstars will be moved, but a couple of notable names continue to come up in speculation.

Kyle Kuzma might be used to being at the center of trade rumors by now. It was thought that he would be included in the deal for Anthony Davis this past summer, but the Los Angeles Lakers managed to hold onto the young forward.

Sitting atop the Western Conference standings, the Lakers are looking to improve their roster even further. Since Davis and LeBron James obviously aren’t going anywhere, Kuzma is the team’s most valuable trade chip.

As a power forward, Kuzma is an awkward fit on a team that often features Davis, James and either Dwight Howard or JaVale McGee in the lineup at the same time. He’s come off the bench in all but one of his 28 games. Kuzma went from averaging 18.7 points per game in 33.1 minutes last season to 12.0 points in 23.4 minutes this year.

That’s why the Los Angeles Times report that general manager Rob Pelinka approached the Sacramento Kings about a potential trade for Kuzma comes as little surprise. The rumor that Kuzma could be swapped for guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is unlikely to pan out, but the Lakers could try to deal him for a lesser player with a similar skill set.

Expect Los Angeles to trade Kuzma in their attempt to add a playmaker or sharpshooter that can potentially play at the end of games.

A player like D’Angelo Russell would certainly fit the mold for L.A. The Lakers don’t have the assets necessary to acquire Russell by Feb. 7, but it looked like they might sign the point guard last July.

Instead, Russell was sent from the Brooklyn Nets to the Golden State Warriors as part of a sign-and-trade that included Kevin Durant. And ever since that trade was made, Golden State has been expected to ship Russell elsewhere at some point in the near future.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson already give the Warriors one of the greatest (and most expensive) backcourts in NBA history. Keeping Russell and his $117 million contract for the long term has never made much sense.

But that doesn’t mean Russell will be moved within the next few weeks. Look for the point guard to stay with Golden State through the remainder of the 2019-2020 season.

Russell might be traded in the summer when the Warriors look to form another title contender. Right now, with both Curry and Thompson missing extended periods of time, Golden State is headed for a top pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Averaging 23.2 points, 6.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, Russell can continue to put up impressive numbers and potentially increase his trade value on a bad team. Maybe Golden State can package him with their lottery pick for a star-caliber swingman in the offseason.

The Warriors have lost 30 of their first 39 games. Golden State only suffered 25 regular-season losses last year.