Timberwolves: Playing something or nothing with MIN trade rumors
By Ethan Becker
The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to trade Kyle Kuzma
This rumor is the most recent one on the list, just developing over the last few days. It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are looking to upgrade their roster this offseason, and the best way they can do that is through moving Kyle Kuzma.
Kuzma, who was drafted with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, has seen a significant decline since the 2018-19 season. In his first two seasons, Kuzma averaged 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 0.6 steals per game on a shooting split of 45/33/73. Since then, in his last two seasons, Kuzma has averaged 12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.5 steals per game on a 43/34/71 shooting split.
His second set of seasons also saw his minutes per game average take a hit, from 32.1 in 2017-19 to 27.0 in 2019-2021, and he also went from starting in 105 of his 147 games to 41 starts in 129 games. This decline in Kuzma’s play is likely due to Anthony Davis joining the Lakers, causing Kuzma to struggle with adjusting to a reduced role (lovingly referred to by Timberwolves fans as “The Kevin Love Principle”).
The question isn’t whether or not Kuzma is going to be traded, as all signs are pointing to draft night at this moment, but who he’ll be traded too. It’s considered an open secret that the Lakers are trying to jump the Washington Wizards to get into the lottery, which would put the Timberwolves at a disadvantage, considering they are in the search for a draft pick themselves. There have been reports recently that the Lakers did talk with Minnesota about a Kuzma trade, but there wasn’t any deal made.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean the talks are done, as the Timberwolves could just be holding the Lakers out for more or waiting for them to ask for less, it’s really unlikely any deal is made. And, even if a deal was made, it would likely be at the detriment to the Timberwolves, as adding Kuzma into the rotation would just cloud up the rotation at four for our developing talents like McDaniels or Vanderbilt.