NBA Trade Rumors: Kyle Kuzma in Last Minute Demand Before Trade Deadline

Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kyle Kuzma has been in trade talks forever now. Looks like he might be traded just in the nick of time as the New York Knicks approach the Lakers.

Kyle Kuzma: Trade History

The buzz around Kuzma’s trade started when rumors first came out that the Lakers were unhappy with the 24-year-old NBA player’s irregular performances. He has been in trade rumors ever since the transfer window opened for this season on 15 December 2019.

Kuzma responded to the trade rumours surrounding him,

“I mean, I just got to not worry about it. For me, I’ve been in trade rumors ever since I came here. I think that’s just a thing that happens when you’re a Laker,”

“You’re always in trade rumors, especially around this time, so it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day, you just control what you can control.”, he said.

After this, The Los Angeles Times reported that Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka has “initiated a call” with the Kings to talk about Kuzma trade deal.

Marc Stein of the New York Times tweeted that the Sacramento Kings were interested in Kuzma.

Sacramento is among the teams that has tried to engage the Lakers in Kyle Kuzma trade talks, league sources say. The Kings know they would have to include sharpshooter (and soon-to-be restricted free agent) Bogdan Bogdanovic, for starters, in a Kuzma deal

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 6, 2020

The Knicks Enter the Show Just in the Nick of Time.

The New York Nicks have entered the trade pool just in time for the 6 February NBA trade deadline. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Knicks are the latest team to have shown interest in The L.A Lakers’ young forward.

He also reported that Marcus Morris is a subject of interest for several rival teams. This implied that Morris could be the trade for Kuzma to the Lakers.

The Knicks had previously been reluctant to trade Morris, but after they fired their general manager Steve Mills on Monday, he’s available, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Morris would be an excellent return for Kuzma, who’s been hot and cold for most of the season due to how much his role with the team has changed compared to last year. The only problem is that $13 million separates Kuzma and Morris’ respective salaries.

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