The trolling chatter between the Los Angeles Lakers rookies seemed to have ceased for a while, but Kyle Kuzma put an end to that thought after he was asked his opinion about this year's trade deadline.

“Yeah. I was on HoopsHype earlier today, and I saw. . .there’s rumors of him getting traded for like a bag of peanuts or something,” Kuzma told reporters. “So that would be a good trade.”

When asked about the impact of Ball’s eventual return, Kuzma took yet another chance to take a dig at his fellow rookie.

“We’re winning more without him, so I don’t know really,” he said.

The Lakers had been 0-7 without Ball in the lineup prior to his most-recent injury, but have won six of their last 10 games in his absence, including the last three.

Kuzma, Ball, and Josh Hart have been known to jell together and have become good friends throughout the season, never shy about busting each other's chops in the practice facility, during games, or in front of the media.

Getting back into a more serious mood, the Lakers forward described Ball’s month-long absence as “a positive for him.”

“He’s doing a good job with handling it, being a great teammate,” Kuzma said. “It’s good that he can get in the weight room more now that he’s hurt.”

“If it was up to him, he would want to play tomorrow, but he understands that we’re gonna need him for 10, 15 years. It’s not as important to rush back.”

The Lakers will dart their best shot at four in a row against the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight on TNT.