A new report indicates that Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka initiated trade talks with the Sacramento Kings regarding forward Kyle Kuzma and the possible acquisition of guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times looked at the Lakers’ trade possibilities and noted how Kuzma is a possible candidate to be moved.
“This year the Lakers would like to conduct their business more quietly, though reports already have surfaced that teams are calling about Kyle Kuzma,” Ganguli wrote. “According to a person familiar with the conversation, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka initiated a call with Sacramento to gauge the Kings’ interest in Kuzma.”
Marc Stein of the New York Times delved further into a possible Lakers-Kings deal, noting the inclusion of Bogdanovic.
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
However, Jason Jones of The Athletic is indicating that unless the Lakers are able to overwhelm the Kings in any Kuzma-led deal, they won’t be giving up Bogdanovic. The 27-year-old shooting guard will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
To follow up, the Kings aren’t shopping Bogdan Bogdanovic and would need to be blown away by an offer. Kings are fine with his RFA status https://t.co/URNFTl4KPe
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) January 6, 2020
Kuzma has had injuries issues both before and during this season and is currently averaging 12.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Bogdanovic is averaging 14.5 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game.
The NBA trade deadline is on Feb. 6, with the Lakers hoping to have better luck than they did during their original attempt to acquire Anthony Davis last year. A deal for him was finally made in June, with the Lakers currently thriving with him in their lineup.
