NBA Rumors: LA Lakers' reported target Kyle Kuzma considered "big part of future" for Washington Wizards
After the LA Lakers won the bubble championship back in 2019-20, Kyle Kuzma was one of the pieces they retained for their quest to go back-to-back. Following a rough run during the 2021-22 season that saw the team eliminated in the first round by the Phoenix Suns, Kuzma found himself shipped off to Washington.
The move came during the offseason, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both eager to acquire Russell Westbrook from the Wizards. Despite the move being one that both teams' figureheads wanted, the difference in play between Westbrook and Kuzma this year has been noticeable.
While Westbrook may have found success adjusting to his new role as the team's sixth man, Kuzma has been putting on scoring clinics in The District. He is currently averaging a career-high 21.3 points per game while averaging a career-high in-field goal percentage.
In the team's recent 118-95 win over Milwaukee to kick off the year, Kuzma picked up a triple-double in the team's stunning win. Although the LA Lakers may want to acquire Kuzma this offseason once Westbrook's contract is off the books, it seems the Wizards are in no rush to part ways with him.
According to HoopesHype, prior to the end of 2022, the team dubbed Kuzma a quote-unquote "big part" of the future of the franchise. With Bradley Beal under contract for the next four years, they are hopeful that Kuzma and Porzingis will opt-in to the remaining year of their contracts and join him.
You can see highlights from a recent 32-point performance by Kuzma in the video above.
The LA Lakers trade deadline, and free agency targets
It's no secret that the Lakers are looking to shake things up by bolstering their roster for another playoff run. Currently, despite the team going on an impressive 8-2 stretch before the end of the year, they're struggling to stay afloat without Anthony Davis. Although LeBron James is playing out of his mind, Davis' absence is a sore spot.
It's no secret that prior to the start of the season, the LA Lakers were trying to trade Russell Westbrook. In the eyes of many, it was only a matter of time before a trade was finalized. That said, Westbrook's massive contract sees him earning $47 million this year, a number that made trading him incredibly difficult.
It has been reported that the Lakers will likely be pretty active before the trade deadline. Although there have been no confirmed reports regarding who the team will pursue, they are expected to be pretty active in free agency as well.
With Westbrook's contract set to come off the books at the end of this season, the Lakers seem poised to sign a big-name free agent like Kyrie Irving.
Depending on how the rest of the season plays out, do you think Kuzma could be headed back to the LA Lakers?
Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!