Los Angeles Lakers are clearly looking for different players who are in free agency to strengthen their offense in the offseason. But they also have to manage their cap space which does not have much room. Apparently, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have taken up a lot of their cap space. However, they have been leading the Lakers together since 2019. The James-Davis duo led the Los Angeles Lakers to their 17th title in the 2019-20 season. Since then, it has been three years, but the Lakers are still depending on the duo to help them get to their 18th title.
Although the LA side came pretty close this year but faced a humiliating defeat in the Western Conference Finals. They were the best defensive team this season due to Anthony Davis‘ leadership. But the strongest offensive side Denver Nuggets had the better of the LA side in the WCF. Hence, Rob Pelinka and the front office is looking to become as strong offensively as they have been defensively. They are looking intently for any availability of an offensive player. Amid this, recently, Kyle Kuzma, the power forward of the Washington Wizards, who was once a Laker, opted for free agency. But will he once again move to his previous team? Let us find that out.
Kyle Kuzma Can Return To The Franchise Where His NBA Career Began
Recently, Kyle Kuzma twitted a cryptic message after deciding to be a free agent in this year’s offseason. The new free agent from the Wizards wrote, “The blessings are coming abundantly.” What does that mean? Kuzma debuted in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. He then stayed with them for four years until he moved to the Washington Wizards in 2021. Hence, Lakers fans are speculating that Kuzma might be hinting at coming back home.
Moreover, Kuzma is a quality power forward who averaged 21.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 3.7 apg in 64 games in the 2022-23 season. But then he declined the $13 million contract with the Wizards to enter the market in free agency. Hence, the LA side has a great opportunity to bring him back. Fans also feel that Kyle Kuzma will join Draymond Green and Chris Paul as new entrees to the Lakers roster. It is always the Lakers who catch the most attention during the off-season.
Lakers Cannot Rely On Their Low Cap Space Alone
The Los Angeles side might have only $27 million remaining in their cap space. Apparently, it is not enough to sign a top player in free agency for a maximum contract. The 17-time champions need to sacrifice some of their February recruits which won’t make the LA side faithful happy. Neither does the GM of the purple and gold, Rob Pelinka, look like he is planning to trade any February purchases.
Moreover, the LA side will try to keep as many players as possible with their limited budget. However, if Kyle Kuzma returns to the LA side, the fans, and front office will be more than happy. Moreover, there is a chance that the LA side may opt to trade Kuzma’s old Wizards teammate, Rui Hachimura, in order to buy him. Anyway, there is a good possibility for a Lakers-Kuzma reunion after he becomes a free agent.
