The Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs haven't made a trade since 1990, but that could change at any minute. According to Marc Stein, the Spurs have interest in a deal that would send Kyle Kuzma to San Antonio and DeMar DeRozan to Los Angeles via sign-and-trade.
Kuzma, 26, is owed $13 million in each of the next three seasons. DeRozan, 31, is an unrestricted free agent.
As speculated on Wednesday, a sign-and-trade makes sense financially, as DeRozan could ink a new contract in Kuzma's range. This would allow DeRozan to take a hometown discount but earn more than the mid-level exception ($10.5ish million), and enable the Lakers to use the MLE on somebody else (potentially Alex Caruso).
Earlier this week, DeRozan indicated a willingness to take a pay cut to join a contender and acknowledged the allure of playing in Los Angeles. The four-time All-Star grew up in Compton, starred at USC, and idolized Kobe Bryant.
The acquisition would trigger a hard cap for the Lakers, but that doesn't seem to be a hindrance for Rob Pelinka as the championship window with LeBron James and Anthony Davis narrows. It's unclear if the Lakers would send the No. 22 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Spurs.
The Spurs front office is notoriously reluctant to deal with Los Angeles but may have to break their “No Lakers” policy in order to recoup value for an out-the-door DeRozan.
A DeRozan – Kuz+No. 22 S&T makes sense (if LA is cool with a hard cap), should DeRozan tell SA he's gone. DeRozan can sign near Kuzma's level ($13M) — a hometown discount but more than the MLE ($10M).https://t.co/CBLL9ixRmz
BTW, Spurs & Lakers haven't made a trade since 1990 https://t.co/xNWeiKy8cL
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) July 29, 2021
The Lakers are also discussing a deal with the Sacramento Kings that could include a combination of Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, and the No. 22 pick.
Because Hield is under contract and therefore isn't a hard cap threat — and is one of the best three-point shooters in the solar system, extremely unlike DeRozan — the Kings wing may hold more appeal for the Lakers. With that in mind, remember: the tight-lipped Lakers could be tossing this Spurs rumor out as a leverage play in trade talks with Sacramento.
Lots of moving parts here.
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