[festar35Participant]

Kuzma has been the starting SF over the last few games and has built an awesome chemistry with Randle. Since jumping into that starting spot averaging 19ppg and nearly 9rpg.

Do we now have a full on position battle in LA with these 2 youngsters? Will we see Johnson look at putting 1 of the 2 on the block with Deng so they can go after George/LBJ and not only that but have the ability to bring Randle back as well who is putting up crazy numbers of late and looking like an All-Star level talent.

Teams like Atlanta, Dallas, Indiana would happily take on Deng’s contract for a young talent like Kuzma or Ingram. Personally if I’m LA I’m keeping Kuzma around long-term.

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Ingram is over 2 years younger than Kuzma. By the time Ingram is Kuzma’s age this won’t be close (In ingram’s favor).

[festar35Participant]

 Over site on my part in terms of age, I thought they were both 21 my bad.

Would you look to move Kuzma if it got Deng off the books? 

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

I guess that depends on what they would do with the cap space. If they were sure they could land two of PG13/DMC/LeBron with the space then yeah I would give up Kuzma to get rid of Deng’s contract. (But I’m not certain anyone would bite given how bad Deng’s contract is)

[cohenbc1Participant]

Obviously you would reluctantly give up Kuzma to get two of those three (though I would personally never offer a max to Cousins — a year ago he was known for having the worst attitude in the league, and while he was spectacular for half a season in New Orleans, the Pelicans have been a better team without him). 

But if you can’t, this isn’t really a problem — Ingram can play the 2 (Pope is an UFA), Randle can play small-ball 5. There are enough minutes to spread around. I think the best and most realistic scenario is to keep their young core and just sign PG13. Then you have Ball-George-Ingram-Randle-somebody at C, with Kuzma as the super-sub.

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 I think center is the hardest to figure out. They want someone young who can run, play defense, and hit 3’s. Where in the world do they find that? Myles Turner is taken. It wouldn’t be such an issue if they didn’t have Randle. In today’s NBA you need 4 dudes in the lineup who can hit 3’s. Ball also isn’t exactly Seth Curry right now. #fixthatuglything

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 hahaha what? No one is moving Kuz or B.I to get Deng off the books. They’ve already agreed to cut him at the end of the season and stretch out his buyout. Why on earth would the Lakers move one of these dudes and they both under 25 and balling???? 

[festar35Participant]

 Get some solid role players in return if they want to immediately compete. Rather than be one of those all too familiar teams that has a young disgruntled player on the roster feeling he isn’t getting enough burn.

Nerlen Noel is probably the most recent example, but one guy they are looking at getting in PG forced his way out of Indiana. Not to say that Kuzma or Ingram is at all a problem, but it does happen and better to get on top of it early.

 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Ingram can easily slide to the 2. 

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