LA Lakers Rumors: Kyle Kuzma reunion chances finished after Rui Hachimura's arrival
The LA Lakers kicked off their trade season this week as they executed a deal to acquire Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards. Following the deal, it appears they are now out of the running for another star wing player.
Kyle Kuzma has enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Wizards this season. Through 47 games, he is averaging 22.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Given that he could become a free agent this summer, teams have been calling Washington in hopes of acquiring him.
The LA Lakers were among the teams interested in Kuzma, but that's no longer the case. Recent reports suggest they've bowed out of the race following their deal for Hachimura.
"Per various NBA sources, other teams that have eyes on Kuzma include the Atlanta Hawks, Suns and Mavericks. While the Lakers were also linked to Kuzma, the Rui Hachimura trade with the Wizards likely signaled an end to that flirtation."
Hachimura made his debut for the Lakers Wednesday night in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. He played just over 21 minutes and tallied 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.
The LA Lakers likely aren't done in the trade market
Following their deal with the Washington Wizards, the LA Lakers have added some much-needed depth to their roster. Rui Hachimura is a young player with tremendous untapped potential. While he should be a solid pickup, the front office likely isn't done seeking upgrades.
After a rough start to the year, the Lakers find themselves in the mix for a playoff spot. They currently sit just one game out of a spot in the play-in tournament, and two games behind the sixth seed. With things being so air-tight in the Western Conference, there is an opportunity for any team to make a big leap.
With the playoffs in sight, the LA Lakers should still be seeking trades. LeBron James is playing at an extremely high level and Anthony Davis has finally returned from injury. If there are any avenues to improving the roster, the front office should be exploring them.
Things have not gone well for LA since they won the title in the bubble, but this could be their time to change that. If the Lakers are aggressive in the trade market, they could put together a competitive roster.
LeBron and AD have proven they can lead a team to a title, they simply need a competent mix of players around them. With a few weeks to go until the deadline, the Lakers are certainly a key team to watch.