Following the reports that Kyle Kuzma is essentially on the trading block and that the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to entertain trade proposals on the versatile swingman, it now appeared the team is not rushing on anything. For a deal to materialize on Kuzma, the Lakers will need to get an offer that is hard to refuse.
At the moment, the Laker's front office will not just thumb up on a deal, and that happening is remotely possible. The team will be nice enough to hear out on offers, but moving out Kuzma too soon is a different story.
The number one condition set by the Lakers: a trade deal on the guard-forward will only be discussed if Los Angeles were "they're getting a lot back," Clutch Points reported, citing the story on the subject by Heavy's Sean Deveney.
For suitors to get Lakers' attention, only the premium trade assets are expected - a top-quality player that is paired with a draft pick.
"The Lakers would ask for a high rotation player-preferably a point guard-who could bolster the chances for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to earn a spot in the Finals, as well as a first-round draft pick," Deveney was reported as saying.
It appeared that the Lakers put a great value on the 27-year-old that "if he's traded, it's only if they're getting a lot back," the report added.
One possible deal that the Lakers could find attractive would come from the Sacramento Kings. The latter, if they are willing, could offer Bogdan Bogdanovic, who has been described as a capable defender with teeming energy on both ends of the floor, according to CBS Sports.
There are bonuses to expect in Lakers acquiring Bogdanovic. He can snipe from a distance with decent accuracy, and he can make things happen for his teammates.
"Bogdanovic is a good player who fits a lot of teams," the report said, which suggested that it will be a win on the part of Lakers to consider checking an inquiry from Sacramento seriously should one will be made soon.
However, landing Bogdanovic would also mean that the Lakers will have to add someone on top of Kuzma as the Serbian is worth $8.5 million to Sacramento in the season as opposed to Kuzma's expected pay of $1.9 million.
CBS said also making Kentavious Caldwell-Pope available to Sacramento will work for the Lakers, which in the end will be seeing off a talent once considered a core of title-seeking Los Angeles. Lately, though, Kuzma has been plagued inconsistencies that will not be of help to the realization of the Lakers' mission in the season.
