The Sacramento Kings have interest in trading for Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma, but they are unlikely to be interested in trading Bogdan Bogdanovic for Kuzma and filler salary, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
To clarify: Conceptually, Kuz and filler salary is of no interest to the Kings. Salaries obviously don’t match up ($8.5 mill for Bogey to $1.9 mil for Kuz) https://t.co/IRhOwh2qoQ
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) January 6, 2020
Well, to be fair, there is no legal straight-up Kuz/Bogdanovic trade – Lakers need to send out enough salary to match BB's $8.5 mil and Kuz doesn't make enough at $2 mil to do so. So by definition, someone else would have to go out from LA https://t.co/WlqY9QXf5f
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 6, 2020
Kuzma is still on his rookie contract. He’s making $1,974,600 this season. The swingman is averaging 11.8 points and 3.5 rebounds for the Lakers in 27 games while shooting 42.0 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Bogdanovic is making $8,529,386 this season with the Kings. He becomes a restricted free agent after this season ends. In 30 games for the Kings this season, Bogdanovic is putting up 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He’s shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, 38.3 percent from the 3-point line and 66.1 percent from the charity stripe.
The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference, but are looking for more shooters and playmakers next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Kings, meanwhile, are in 13th place in the Western Conference. Kuzma’s usage rate would increase with the Kings and he could become that third consistent scorer for Sacramento behind De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield.
Kuzma’s future with the Lakers has been in question ever since his trainer called out LeBron. We’ll see if the Kings and Lakers end up making a deal.
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