I think there is a clear division between what will help us in the regular season and what will help us in the playoffs. In the regular season we need some extra scoring to take the pressure off our stars and to conserve them for the playoffs. During the playoffs we want Lebron and AD at 36-40 mins. That’s go time. And there aren’t too many stars that can go up against ours. We’re going to win plenty of regular season games as it is - I don’t really care if we’re the no 1 seed or the no 4, but what’s going to help us win in the post season? Someone that can blow up opposing teams PnR, be a terror on team defence gaining us some more possessions and give spacing to the Lebron and AD PnR. Covington would be a great addition to this core. If we can end up with something like: Rondo (28) / Caruso or Bradley (20) Green (28) / Bradley or KCP (20) Lebron (16) / Covington (32) AD (26) / Lebron (22) McGee (16) / Dwight (20) / AD (12) We have a bit of a log jam at the one with Rondo, Caruso and Bradley - and I’d try to keep all 3 of them due to injuries. We also have a bit of a log jam at the 2, with Green, Bradley and KCP. One of Rondo, Caruso, Bradley, KCP and Green is going to miss out on playing time in the playoffs. So I think one of Green or KCP could be traded for a stronger wing alongside Kuzma. Ideally I’d trade KCP (I know, I know, no trade clause) and Kuzma for Covington.
i don't see it, but if minny goes down the tubes, kuz/kcp will be a competitive offer (beats what houston and other contenders will offer, imo). yes, kcp would have to agree. feel like he might, though. he has a player option, and the market is pretty weak next year. if he shows out post-deadline in a bigger scoring role, somebody will pay him long-term.
He used to be more available than Zo, BI and Hart . It's no longer the case . I'd trade him for a role player ready to contribute this season without a doubt
I don't see why scoring off the bench wouldn't be critical for the Lakers in the playoffs. Almost all Finals teams have had guys who could go for 25+ off the bench w/o surprising you be it FVF, Igoudala, Korver. Covington can space the floor but he really doesn't do anything else well on offense. Kuzma in his limited time his 3pt jumper has been equivalent to Covington and he's shown in the past and bouts this year where he's basically won the game for the Lakers by being able to score off catch and shoots but also off the ball. I think patience is the best right now. Losing KCP particularly the way he's playing and Kuzma for Covington wouldn't be worth it. Bradley/Rondo/Caruso are inconsitent for 3 and Green's 3 point percentages are going down. Vogel seems to not mind moving things around as necessary so I'd rather have him have more tools for now
Usual what have you done for me lately and having a high tolerance for pain / performing through it ..... with someone else's injuries .... sentiments.
Vogel won't give up on him and will get him going. Long as Kuz is still on the roster. Look what he did with KC Poop.
He's built for this. At least that's what he said. I'm guessing he gets at LEAST through the rest of the year.
Tough to imagine the Lakers getting anything near the return value for Kuzma. He's still getting paid like a bum compared to other players. We just don't have enough pieces to trade. This is the benefit of holding out for scraps. Every player on our team outside MAYBE Danny Green is on super great value. Players we shouldn't or can't trade are: KCP: Last twelve games, he's easily been a top five player for us. Javale: Him and Dwight can't be traded. They have figured out their minutes situation and both are super productive when they are out there for us. Bradley: Our best or second best perimeter defender. We will need him to face Boston, Clippers, Rockets, and many deep perimeter teams. Rondo: With his improved shooting, he's become vital off the bench. Dudley: Great locker room presence and has played well when asked to do so despite having inconsistent minutes. Dwight: Same as Javale. LeBron AD Cousins: How we handle this is very important. We have stuck by Cousins despite the allegations and injury he's been through. I'm sure players respect that aspect about the Lakers. Also, very good friends with AD so if we want to increase our chances of re-signing AD, we should hold onto Cousins. Caruso: Elite perimeter defender who can create for himself and others. All of the players above are playing well or are pieces that I don't see any reason to trade. Leaves us: Kuzma Cook Daniels Green I just don't see what we can get in the market that could be better than what we have. All four of these players above have played below our expectations but there is no assurance that a trade would benefit us at this point. Our best option would be to wait patiently for Iguodala but as we continue winning, trade scenarios become less and less appealing to me.
@BangBoomPow basically on the same page regarding the roster. I would not be against moving Kuz, but we're not going to get a trade that is equal to his talents. You'll get one that is based off his slump and then when you factor in our limited scenarios based off his low salary and the handful of GMs that will lowball us because we're the Lakers and because we have the best record. No team wants to be the team to lock in a title for another team (especially in conference options). I don't like the market for him at all. Our slumping shooters aren't going to entice anyone either. Another reason to keep Boogie. Bron said he and AD called him out at halftime and he listened. Bron respects those two and Rondo the most on this roster. That's very valuable. Buyout market after the deadline is going to be our time to make something happen. I hope it's a Iggy, but even if it's not, someone who can help will be available. Just ride it out till then and don't rock the chemistry boat.
We've barely seen a healthy Kuz this season. I thought he was doing a pretty good job of scoring off the bench when we did. He's young, he's talented, he's got a good attitude and we've seen him play well alongside Lebron. He's got a different role and he's had a slew of nagging injuries. I still think he's going to be a real asset to us going forward. Keep him around.
Too much hate towards Kuz. He will turn it around I'm sure. I guess these days we are just searching for something we can nitpick about which is a good thing in the end
