KEY POINTS

  • The Lakers are figuring out the level of interest in Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder
  • Schroder could be the Lakers’ big trade chip to inject new blood into the team
  • Kuzma could show full potential with more playing time on a different team

The Los Angeles Lakers may need to resort to trading players given that they do not have financial flexibility.

Of the players in their roster, there are two names they may get good value–Kyle Kuzma and Dennis Schroder.

The two players have different angles tied to the Lakers’ future. As most know by now, the buzz is that Schroder is imminently on the way out.

Even before that, word got around that the Lakers discussed trade packages with the Toronto Raptors involving the German guard before the last NBA trade deadline.

With Schroder more or less leaving, the Lakers are now exploring sign-and-trade opportunities.

The 27-year-old guard is seen as the team’s best trade chip this offseason. Schroder appears to be looking for bigger pay and more playing time, something that he may have not been pleased with this NBA season.

The money Schroder could get may not be big given the financial ramifications Los Angeles has to deal with right now.

But as far as playing time, he ironically got the most time on the floor compared to his previous stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks.

Schroder averaged 32.1 minutes in the regular season where he averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 3.1 rebounds.

As for Kuzma, it is no secret that he lacked consistency with the Lakers. He is another player that other NBA teams may consider this summer.

Kuzma averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 28.7 minutes of action. Those numbers could jump if the 25-year-old player moves to another team.

Dennis Schroder
MAY 25: Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The 6-foot-10 forward took on a backup role with the Lakers focused on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

But as pointed out in a previous post, Kuzma wants to prove doubters wrong and follow the rise of other former Lakers like Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball.

For now, the Lakers may be gauging interest in Kuzma and Schroder. Most are deemed speculation for now.

However, expect things to go up a notch once the NBA offseason officially gets underway.

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