2018 Trade Ideas thread

[RamonSessions7]

Wait what. People think Kuzma is a role player and him playing well did not lead to us winning. Us winning for the most part was empty wins as we were playing for almost nothing this year. We weren't threatening playoff teams at any point, so what does him playing not well in our wins even matter. Dude was a rookie, yes older than a lot of rookies, but a rookie and displayed some amazing footwork and varied up his offense quite a lot for someone who wasn't expected to do what he did. Pigeon holing our top performing rookie as a role player on a good team is hilarious, because he's a rookie picked late in the first. Is he supposed to be a star on a good team right now?

[Pythagoras]

Kuzma is absolutely a role player on a good team, and he's our most overvalued player by quite a bit. If the Lakers traded him to get out of Deng's contract tomorrow, I'd lose no sleep over it.

Him leading the team in scoring was more due to the bizarre handling of Randle's minutes, and Ingram's injury, which created a situation where somebody had to do it, and he happened to be the lucky benefactor. When the Lakers where playing their best basketball of the season, Ingram and Randle where leading the way, and he was brutal. His scoring rarely if ever led to significant team success, and conversely, when the team did have success last year, they did it with him playing like crap.

You make it sound as if he has no skills at all. Yes he was lucky he got to start due to injuries to the team but it took way more than luck to pull the numbers he did. And what is this bs you talk about in your last sentence? He is a rookie he did not play in the NBA last season. He played this season.

He has skills alright, the skills to be a good role player.

And I’m talking about his impact (or non impact) on winning within the season we just witnessed. Early in the season Kuzma was scoring, and the team was losing. In the middle of the season the team played well, and he was MIA. At the end of the season, he started scoring again, but the team was losing again.

[Pythagoras]

Smh! How can so many Laker fans can fall in love with these mediocre late picks who aren’t going to end up as anything more than role players/bench warmers?

And then they turn around and grade our young talent that actually has upside harsh as hell??!!

[Michael Lucky]

Yeah I'm not as big on Kuzma either. He'll be turning 23 soon. He's definitely more dispensable than either Ingram or Lonzo.

[stan francisco]

Kuzma is a more consistent scoring threat, averaging 2.2 points per game more than Tatum.

The margin is close, but Kuzma is a slightly better passer, averaging 0.2 assists per game more than Tatum.

Their averages are close, but Kuzma grabs a few more rebounds, eclipsing Tatum's total by 1.3 boards per game.

[stan francisco]

He’s got the killer instinct, is a total alpha stud. Watch him blow up next season.

[Dloading99]

Here are some facts.

I ripped Kyle Kuzma for being Ryan Anderson. and saying he needs to be more then Ryan Anderson. just a stand still three point shooter.

During the season he's worked on his game. he's added using his dribble taking defenders off of the dribble. Pump Fakes. little layups around the rim. they call them junk. he's become more of a complete player.

Trying to think of some comps. for some of yall in here who've seen him play Chris Mills. who played at Fairfax High. maybe he can be Walt Williams. Do I ever think he'll be Greek Freak as far as his ability to dribble and get to the basket. no but we aren't asking for him to be that. the fact that he wants to be Kobe and talked to Shaq about wanting to have his Jersey in the rafters is enough for me. we want that in our young players. it's time to set the mindset that we want to be winners. and we need guys trying to be leaders.

Some of you remember playing high school ball and there were guys in the locker room who started taking leadership roles. lets' lift. let's be first in warm ups. you gotta find out who your leaders are on your teams. and Kyle Kuzma is doing that.



Lebron is going to want to play with set shooters guys like Kevin Love guys like Korver who spread that floor. the stretch four in Kuzma we already have that so he's big to what we do. you add a Paul George with a Brandon Ingram those are pieces.


Now even if Lebron doesn't come having Paul George with those guys is great for where the NBA is today.


Lonzo Ball I looked at him all season not one time did I see a guy who said I'm the face of the Lakers. this is the best organization in the NBA. I saw that look in Donovan Mitchell's face. I saw that look in Jayson Tatums face. and you know What Kobe Bryant had that look you know what I'm talking about. Kyle Kuzma. had that look so if he wants to be the guy. then go ahead be the guy. we've asked so many to be that guy and no one wants it. so if you want to be the Lakers and be the guy who everyone sees as the Laker. then go ahead Kyle Kuzma. I just want someone to step up and lead this squad.

off topic did the Lakers even work out Donovan Mitchell I know they wanted to bring in Tatum but that's up to scouting. AS far as Lonzo goes does anyone have any word on his off season work out program has he said anything or is it all rapping. I really hope he dedicates himself to shooting this summer. we really need him to improve on that. I'm hoping for at least an improvement to 18 points a game next year. we need him to establish himself as a lead guard. summer league will really be good to see what he's working on if he tries to show his ability as a scorer. we know what Kyle is going to do.

[Spens1]

I'm sorry Kuzma is probably going to end up being better than Randle (hell, for stretches he was better than Randle).

This is what, Randle's 3rd year in the league and he still doesn't have a 3pt shot.

Also Kuzma is already a leader and has a killer instinct that no one else on this team has (Ingram is getting it now, Randle is pretty good but still not as ruthless).

[Landsberger]

Isn't this a pretty big jump? You've got him needing a talking to to have a good career after leading the team in scoring as a late first round rookie who came off the bench for half the year.

He's doesn't seem to be the type of player most around here like in that he's a shoot first guy. I think he could have a higher ceiling than anyone we have personally. He showed he could rebound at a very high rate in stretches (17 double-doubles) and showed he could score in streaks/bunches. He played progressively better defense as the year wore on(not great overall but underrated by many here IMHO in total defense) and he showed good distribution skills as well at times. If he puts all of that together in just his second or 3rd year that package would be very good IMHO. Not sure he needs a kick in the ass to get there.... he seemed to add a little something every 10 games or so as the season progressed. As it is he's a very "modern day" PF who's shown he can post up, drive, shoot from deep and even has a little midrange game.

One thing that stood out to me about him that showed his drive was that he's go significant stretches in games that he played with Randle and Ingram where he wouldn't touch the ball. Those 2 really need to be in isolation and pounding the ball and they were prioritized over him in almost all offensive sets when they were on the floor together. He provided the outlet shooter when the offense stuttered and got his opportunities a lot very late shot clock. To me that made his performances this year even more impressive at times.

I wouldn't see it as a problem to have any player that doesn't settle for anything. That is a little Kobe like and it's not a bad thing.

To me he's a very good "problem" to have.

I equated Kuzma to Klay Thompson... If he was as good as Klay, that would piss you off?

And to extend the analogy... What kind of success would Klay or the Warriors have had if Klay wasn't happy playing his role? I bet nobody would still be talking about him because he wouldn't be there anymore and on his next team, he wouldn't be nearly as good.

He led a crap team in scoring, but the people he defended usually led their teams in scoring too... Point being, Kuzma is a role player on a good team, not the star. He has no discernible skill-set that would indicate he's got Star player trajectory to his career... I stand by the assertion that the sooner he embraces that, the better it will be for the team he's on and for his career.

Not "pissed off" at all.
Randle led a crap team in rebounding and Ball led a crap team in assists. No stars there either?

If Kuzma is a role player on a good team then what are the rest of our young players? All of them have significant flaws in reality. I'll give Kuzma more time before I banish him to the bench on a good team. He's shown all facets of the game which is more than most of our younger guys and he did it in his first year. He may be topped out and he may not be. 2 years is about the time you can tell. If he puts in the work and comes back better then I think he could possibly the best of our young guys.... if he gets the big head and is complacent then you may be right. As for his skill set..... I see it as just about the most diverse on our team actually. Especially offensively. If he stays at the 4 he's got a very complete skill set comparatively IMHO.

[Kilroy]

So now it's a Kuzma vs Randle thread? This makes sense... There's really no way to argue with anyone who thought Kuzma was better than Randle at any point last season... I once had a roommate who believed "The Devil can see you through the Microwave"... This is similar.

The only thing more painful would be trying to explain why Lonzo Ball and Ingram clearly have more upside than Kuzma... Like in a, 'I seriously need to reevaluate my social groups' kind of way.

I'm still at a complete loss as to how comparing Kuzma to Klay Thompson got us into a Kuzma's better than Randle, or that he has more upside than Ingram and Ball discussion. I guess KT sux...

[SlimShady83]

[Dloading99]

There's no comparison.

Randle is more of an exceptional athlete then Kyle Kuzma is or will ever be. Kyle Kuzma will never be able to get to the Basket like Julius Randle. Kyle is more of a set shooter catch and shoot guy. that's what he is that's what he's going to be.

I point to the Denver game. he's a guy that can get us back in games keep us in games or win games. he'll try to improve but he'll never be the Guy dunking on everyone and that's cool. we need a guy who can shoot. and we need all the shooters we can get on this team.


I just think over all we gotta keep all of our young guys together. looking at Philly Denver Utah. you don't see them trading their guys. let's keep all of our young guys and let them develop. enough of this trading our guys.

Can you believe that Boston got away with trading For Kyrie Irving and only trading away Jae Crowder and Isiah Thomas and a draft pick. that's criminal.

and Boston still has to build around Jaylan Brown Jayson Tatum and they are not missing anything and Terry Rozier. think about that and marinate on that. to me they look like the most complete team in the Easter Conference. and they are still sitting on Gordon Heyward.

Brad Stevens is brilliant. what they have going on with that Ball Movement. we need to take that blue print.

Lonzo Ball Brandon Ingram Kyle Kuzma Thomas Bryant Julius Randle and add a Paul George and still build around those stars we have. the NBA is about building around talent. and having Shooters to spread that floor. Lonzo Ball can develop into that. Once again this guy has to work on his game. it's going to take hard work but if this guy loves Basketball like most of you say he does in here we'll be fine with our point guard. as for Kuzma and Ingram those guys will be fine.

[mcscotty]

What kind of contract do you think Boogie will fetch this offseason?

[Michael Lucky]

Kuzma is a more consistent scoring threat, averaging 2.2 points per game more than Tatum.

The margin is close, but Kuzma is a slightly better passer, averaging 0.2 assists per game more than Tatum.

Their averages are close, but Kuzma grabs a few more rebounds, eclipsing Tatum's total by 1.3 boards per game.

Tatum is also 2 years and 8 months younger, and got his points far more efficiently than Kuzma despite the age gap. They really aren't comparable at all.

[TylersLakers]

What kind of contract do you think Boogie will fetch this offseason?

If New Orleans doesn't offer the max, I could easily see a 1 year, $30M offer from the Lakers especially if George signs and we still have the room remaining.

PG: Lonzo
SG: George
SF: Ingram
PF: Kuzma
C: Randle

Until Cousins returns. Once he does, Kuzma slides back to a 6th man role and Randle and Boogie start in the front court.

However, finding depth would be tough. The room exception would basically be the only tool we have.

[mcscotty]

What kind of contract do you think Boogie will fetch this offseason?

If New Orleans doesn't offer the max, I could easily see a 1 year, $30M offer from the Lakers especially if George signs and we still have the room remaining.

PG: Lonzo
SG: George
SF: Ingram
PF: Kuzma
C: Randle

Until Cousins returns. Once he does, Kuzma slides back to a 6th man role and Randle and Boogie start in the front court.

However, finding depth would be tough. The room exception would basically be the only tool we have.

If we could get a team option for a second year, I'd be cool with that as plan D.

[Landsberger]

Smh! How can so many Laker fans can fall in love with these mediocre late picks who aren’t going to end up as anything more than role players/bench warmers?

And then they turn around and grade our young talent that actually has upside harsh as hell??!!

So you make the statement that Kuzma has no upside (that's what you just wrote) and will be a "bench warmer" and you SYH at others here because we're not on your level of basketball brilliance. Ummm OK.

[Landsberger]

So now it's a Kuzma vs Randle thread? This makes sense... There's really no way to argue with anyone who thought Kuzma was better than Randle at any point last season... I once had a roommate who believed "The Devil can see you through the Microwave"... This is similar.

The only thing more painful would be trying to explain why Lonzo Ball and Ingram clearly have more upside than Kuzma... Like in a, 'I seriously need to reevaluate my social groups' kind of way.

I'm still at a complete loss as to how comparing Kuzma to Klay Thompson got us into a Kuzma's better than Randle, or that he has more upside than Ingram and Ball discussion. I guess KT sux...

Wow.... If you though my post was saying that you're the one thinking too much about your microwave......

[danfantastk32]

What kind of contract do you think Boogie will fetch this offseason?

If New Orleans doesn't offer the max, I could easily see a 1 year, $30M offer from the Lakers especially if George signs and we still have the room remaining.

PG: Lonzo
SG: George
SF: Ingram
PF: Kuzma
C: Randle

Until Cousins returns. Once he does, Kuzma slides back to a 6th man role and Randle and Boogie start in the front court.

However, finding depth would be tough. The room exception would basically be the only tool we have.

If we could get a team option for a second year, I'd be cool with that as plan D.

Lot's of questions with Cousins. But if we're able to get him for 1-year, I say go for it.

[TylersLakers]

What kind of contract do you think Boogie will fetch this offseason?

If New Orleans doesn't offer the max, I could easily see a 1 year, $30M offer from the Lakers especially if George signs and we still have the room remaining.

PG: Lonzo
SG: George
SF: Ingram
PF: Kuzma
C: Randle

Until Cousins returns. Once he does, Kuzma slides back to a 6th man role and Randle and Boogie start in the front court.

However, finding depth would be tough. The room exception would basically be the only tool we have.

If we could get a team option for a second year, I'd be cool with that as plan D.

Totally agree.