Since the Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to swing big during the trade season, why not entertain the possibility of the 17-time NBA champions acquiring a valuable former role player?
Specifically, Lake Show Life’s Jack Simone has a hunch that the Lakers could reunite LeBron James with a 6-foot-8 NBA champion forward this season.
“The Los Angeles Lakers should seriously consider a trade to land Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma,” Simone wrote last Wednesday.
“It may not sound like the ideal trade, but it actually makes perfect sense, as it would give LA a tradable $20 million contract to work with in potential deals this summer. That would provide some elite flexibility.”
“Kuzma is having a fine season, and he could help the Lakers compete right now, but the most important part about a potential deal would be maintaining the contract slot. LA is going to be pressed financially moving forward, and they need to maximize things as much as possible.”
Simone’s trade idea would send Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes, draft capital to the Bucks for Kuzma and Andre Jackson Jr.
While Kuzma’s superstar days are behind him (he was a standout contributor for the Washington Wizards for 3.5 seasons before joining the Bucks in 2025, he can still be an effective off-ball asset when his number gets called.
The Utah product isn’t a great perimeter shooter, but is a reliable slasher who plays his best basketball when running the appropriate lane in transition and finishing strong at the rim.
Kuzma is averaging 13.2 points per game on 50.7% field goal shooting and 30% three-point shooting with the Bucks this season.
Although Kuzma wouldn’t elevate the Lakers to new heights, he certainly wouldn’t make them any worse.
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