Report: Los Angeles Lakers Starter Wants Trade

At least one Los Angeles Lakers starter wants a trade at the moment. Can you make any guesses?

Eric Pincus from Bleacher Report reported that Kyle Kuzma is ready to move on from the team through a trade. The Lakers forward may be the first to end up on the trade block as he begins playing on his three-year deal worth $39 million.

“I think Kuzma’s time, I think he’s ready to move on,” Pincus noted on The Lakerside Chats podcast. “I think winning cures all, and you’re willing to sacrifice but this year they didn’t win and now I think everybody’s a little grumpier. I think they’re exhausted mentally from what’s happened the last year or two. Deservedly so, this has been very hard on the real world where real consequences and real things happen.”

The Lakers starter to force his way out through a trade

The young Laker was averaging 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 36.1% from behind the arc in 2020-21. He is not a superstar, but Kuzma is pretty confident about his performance.

“I think that Kyle Kuzma perceives himself as someone like Jayson Tatum,” Pincus explained. “I think that’s how he views himself, and that’s great. You should view yourself as one of the best young players in the league. For where he was drafted, Kuzma’s been great. His contract is very favorable, it’s a nice contract, it’s actually very favorable to him. …I don’t think Rob [Pelinka] is someone who has a lot of loyalty, not criticizing him, but a lot of loyalty to anyone but LeBron and A.D. because those are the guys who are the championship core pieces and anybody else is there to compliment them.”

Here’s more. Jordan Schultz from ESPN reported that Kuzma and Dennis Schroder got into a thing last season. Things heated up in the postseason. Schroder is an unrestricted free agent and Kuzma has been part of many rumors.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis missed a lot of time due to their health condition. Kuzma and Schroder saw more playing time on the floor. Unfortunately, they didn’t develop a strong bond. Things got worse in the playoffs and we all know what happens when players feud.

The Lakers will make a few moves in the offseason and some of the current players will have to find a home somewhere else.