Report: Lakers Tried To Trade For Kyle Kuzma, Wizards ‘Wary’ Or Pairing D’Angelo Russell With Jordan Poole

According to NBA insider Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily, the Los Angeles Lakers tried to trade for Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. 

The Wizards were “wary” of pairing D’Angelo Russell with Jordan Poole. 

The Lakers are shopping Russell, who picked up his 2024-25 player option worth $18.7 million.

Kuzma, who began his career with the Lakers, averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.7 blocks for the Wizards in 2023-24 while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.5 million next season. 

Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Lakers while shooting 45.6% from the field, 41.5% from beyond the arc and 82.8% from the free-throw line. The Lakers haven’t found a team who will trade for him. 

“Sources say in the days leading up to Russell’s decision to opt into his contract this season, Los Angeles started quietly canvassing the league for deals,” Irwin reported. “When he finally did exercise his player option, Rob Pelinka started really working to find him a new home, to no avail.”

Kuzma has career averages of 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Lakers and Wizards. He won the 2020 championship with the Lakers over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble.

Russell has career averages of 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games, while the Wizards missed the postseason. 

Los Angeles’ new head coach is JJ Redick, who has yet to coach above the youth level. Redick played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers haven’t made any moves this offseason in free agency or trades.