Since the last offseason, rumors have been continuously swirling around Kyle Kuzma and his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. With his inability to live up to expectations as the team’s third star, most people believe that the Lakers are better off using Kuzma as a trade chip to improve their supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In a recent appearance on ESPN‘s Woj and Lowe Draft Special, via Youtube, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that the Lakers have engaged in trade talks with "almost every team" involving Kuzma this summer.
LA Lakers Could Swap Kyle Kuzma For Myles Turner
One of the potential trade targets for the Lakers in the deal involving Kuzma is Myles of the Indiana Pacers. In a recent article, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report came up with a hypothetical trade idea that would enable the Lakers to swap Kuzma for Turner.
In the proposed trade scenario, the Lakers would be sending a package that includes Kuzma, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, and a lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick to the Pacers in exchange for Turner.
Why The Pacers Would Make The Trade
The proposed trade deal would make a lot of sense for the Pacers. Aside from helping them address the logjam at the center position, it would also enable them to add another young and promising player in Kuzma and two first-round picks to their war chest of draft assets.
Kuzma still has plenty of things that he needs to improve in his game but compared to Turner, he would be a much better frontcourt partner for Domantas Sabonis. Meanwhile, by combining the No. 13 and No. 22 picks, the Pacers could find a way to move up in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Myles Turner Gives Lakers’ New Starting Center
Though it would cost them two first-round selections, swapping Kuzma for Turner would also be worth exploring for the Purple and Gold. If they succeed to acquire Turner, the Lakers would no longer need to worry about re-signing Andre Drummond in the 2021 free agency.
Turner would give the Lakers a new starting center who is a very reliable scorer under the basket, a great rebounder, shot-blocker, and floor-spacer. Last season, he averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from beyond the arc, per ESPN.
Myles Turner Would Love A Trade To Lakers
Though he’s yet to officially demand a trade from the Pacers, Turner would definitely love the idea of being traded to the Lakers. Instead of being stuck with an average team like the Pacers, joining forces with James and Davis in Los Angeles would give Turner a realistic chance of reaching the NBA Finals and capturing his first Larry O’Brien Trophy in the 2021-22 NBA season.
Aside from the opportunity to contend for the NBA championship title next year, being mentored by James and Davis could also speed up Turner’s development into a legitimate superstar in the league.
