"He's asking to be traded": Lakers fans tag Rob Pelinka after Kyle Kuzma's 'LA vibe' tweet
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma's brief and seemingly cryptic post on X/Twitter ignited rumors surrounding its significance with free agency underway.
"LA w the vibes š"
LA Lakers fans were especially eager to know what the tweet could mean, and suggested that GM Rob Pelinka should take it as a hint to bring Kuzma home.
"Okay we get it. Get it done Pelinka š," a fan said.
"Pick up that phone Rob we gotta bring him home," another fan added.
According to insider Anthony Irwin, the Lakers are reportedly interested in getting Kuzma backāwhich made fans hopeful as the franchise is yet to acquire a notable player in this year's free agency.
"Sources say the Lakers have held trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about Jerami Grant, the Brooklyn Nets about Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith, the Toronto Raptors about Bruce Brown and the Wasington Wizards about Kyle Kuzma ā as well as other teams and other trade targets. To this point, though, those are the names most closely linked to the Lakers, according to league and team sources," said Irwin via Lakers Daily.
Back in August 2021, the Lakers traded Kuzmaāalong with Isaiah Jackson's draft rights, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrellāto the Wizards in exchange for Russell Westbrook. However, the trade did not yield its intended result as both teams struggled in the aftermath.
Kyle Kuzma's current contract with Washington Wizards
Kuzma signed a four-year $90 million contract extension with the Washington Wizards ahead of the 2023-24 season. The dealāwhich features a 15% trade kickerāis structured in a way that the salary descends after every year: $25.6 million in the first season, $23.5 million in 2024-25, $21.5 million in 2026-27 and $19.4 million in 2027-28.
The Wizards may look to trade Kuzma if they want to add more future assets to help their long-term rebuild. His contract is reportedly considered "highly attractive" to teams that want to upgrade their roster while maintaining financial flexibility.
The former NBA champion just had his best individual season thus far where he averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 33.6% from beyond the arc.
His addition may give a much-needed boost to the Lakers roster as the team looks to secure another championship to match the Boston Celtics' NBA title record.