According to a report from LA Times reporter Brad Turner and Tania Ganguli, the New Orleans Pelicans covet Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma the most in trade talks.
The New Orleans Pelicans are interested in three of the Lakers’ young players — whether that’s Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma or Josh Hart — and the No. 4 draft pick in order to acquire Davis, according to people familiar with the trade discussions who were not authorized to speak publicly because of the fluidity of the situation. It’s possible New Orleans could use the No. 4 pick to acquire a player from a third team.
Among the current young Lakers, New Orleans covets Kuzma the most.
According to people familiar with the Lakers’ thinking, Kuzma has ingratiated himself with the organization both on the court and off, and management does not want to trade the forward, who is entering his third season.
The Lakers might have an opportunity to keep their No. 4 pick should they agree to part with Kuzma.
Kyle Kuzma is a pretty good player, talented offensively and has a good personality. But he shouldn’t, under any circumstances, be the player that is holding up a trade for Anthony Davis. Moreso, why do the Pelicans covet him the most out of all of the Lakers young assets?
What has Kuzma done to “ingratiate(d) himself with the organization, both on the court and off” that Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball have not?
I trust Turner and Ganguli’s reporting here and have no doubt that this is actually how the Lakers and Pelicans feel. But WHY? Did I watch a different Kyle Kuzma from everyone else? Kuzma doesn’t pale to compare to Davis, and even if you’re reluctant in including every other Lakers young player in the deal, why is he the one to break the camels back?
We will keep you posted with more information as it becomes available to us.
Then give them Kuzma and keep Lonzo, for Christ’s sake. But it seems like Jeanie – the incompetent tool – wants to keep Kuz around. SMH.