LA Lakers Rumors: Lakers have several options from Kyle Kuzma and a pair of Chicago Bulls stars
The LA Lakers have been playing good basketball recently, winning six of their last 10 games. They could be a move or two from turning into playoff contenders. The latest rumors suggest that the Lakers have several options, including Kyle Kuzma and a pair of Chicago Bulls stars.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, Kuzma wants out of the Washington Wizards. He’s a free agent after the season, so the Wizards could explore trades before the deadline. Trading Kuzma means the Wizards won't lose him for nothing next summer.
One of the teams reportedly interested in Kuzma is his former team, the Lakers. Pincus noted that Kuzma already knows how to play with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He added that the Lakers might have to part ways with a first round pick, but the Chicago Bulls could alter their plans.
One NBA source told Eric Pincus that the Chicago Bulls could start a rebuild as soon as possible. The Bulls are off to a horrid start to the season despite having three All-Stars on their team.
"Everyone is watching Chicago very closely," the source said. "They're so poorly constructed, they need to blow it up."
Zach LaVine will be the most difficult to trade due to his knee injury history, and he recently signed a five-year max deal. DeMar DeRozan is their best player, but he’s already 33. Nikola Vucevic is a solid big man, but he’s a free agent at the end of the season.
Even Coby White and Alex Caruso are trade candidates. While White is a capable scorer off the bench, Caruso is a defensive presence that could interest contenders.
The LA Lakers are reportedly interested in both DeRozan and Vucevic. The Lakers are willing to part ways with their coveted first round picks from 2027 and 2029 and package them with Russell Westbrook, who is a buy-out candidate.
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LA Lakers does not want to make the first move in potential trades
The LA Lakers might be interested in several players heading into the trade deadline, but they reportedly don’t want to make the first move. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne revealed that the Lakers are taking things slow. People within the organization believe their patience will eventually pay off once the ball starts rolling in the trade market.
"My sense from talking to people around the league is they are not necessarily motivated right now to go do something big," Shelburne said. "Unless something big presented itself to them. They're waiting for their phone to ring, rather than to call."
"My sense from talking to people around the league: [The Lakers] are not necessarily motivated right now to go do something big, unless something big presented itself to them. They're waiting for their phone to ring."
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In addition to Kyle Kuzma, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, the Lakers have recently been linked to Cam Reddish of the New York Knicks. SNY's Ian Begley reported that the Lakers had held preliminary discussions with the Knicks about Reddish. However, they would need a third team to make the trade work.
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