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NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 Kyle Kuzma trades that could help the Lakers

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the court after he was fouled in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 22, 2020 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers sits on the court after he was fouled in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 22, 2020 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 18: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 18: Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards celebrates after making a three point basket in the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

2. Lakers get a dead-eye shooter

For any team in need of shooting, there might not be a more sought-after pure shooter at the NBA trade deadline than Washington Wizards forward Davis Bertans. The 27-year-old has been making it rain from 3-point range this season while shooting at a 42 percent clip from beyond-the-arc and establishing himself as one of the best shooters in the league. And it also stands to reason why he might be available prior to the deadline.

While the Wizards are still trying to figure out where to go with the John Wall and Bradley Beal contracts on their books and not reaping many rewards, Bertans is scheduled to hit restricted free agency this offseason. Because of the demand for his shooting ability, the Wizards might not want to hamstring themselves into putting another gaudy contract on the books.

Trading for Kyle Kuzma would delay that to some degree for Washington. Kuzma himself will hit restricted free agency in 2021. However, the 24-year-old is three years younger than Bertans and would give the Wizards another year to evaluate their roster and options for how they should proceed before having to make a restricted free agency decision on a valuable young piece. And of course, they might be able to squeeze some draft capital out of the Lakers to make the trade.

Bertans working in the Lakers offense with James and Davis would be appointment television for NBA fans that love high-quality shooting. He would have more space than ever before in his career, which could yield incredibly fruitful results that would address LA’s need for consistent spacing and outside scoring.

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