After the 2021 season, Allstar Bradley Beal was finishing a very impressive campaign. He had averaged 30 PPG, almost capturing the scoring title, and had announced loudly to the league that he was a legit star and surely one of the best guards in the NBA. He was around 28 years old. Unfortunately, the team around him was one of the worst in the NBA. While Westbrook had enjoyed a nice season with us, it was clear that his efforts were fruitless and we moved off his contract, ushering in the new era… or so we thought, as we kept Bradley Beal.
2 years later, Bradley Beal’s trade value, while still solid, plummeted. We got an old Chris Paul, which we turned into a 32 million dollar Jordan Poole. Before, we could have likely gotten a top-5 pick and maybe more! As a non-playoff team, we made a terrible mistake allowing our best player to peak on a losing team and overlook their value.
Fast forward to today, Kyle Kuzma is averaging 23.4 PPG (25th in the NBA), 6.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He is also 28 years old. He is peaking and we are 3-15. Do not make that mistake again. We kept Wall too long. We kept Beal too long. Do not keep Kuzma too long; trade him in his prime.
At this moment, our young core consists of Bilal, Deni, and Kispert (though he is 24), we need more.
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totally agree. i was encouraged by that ted interview a few weeks(?) ago where he seemed to acknowledge this mistake failing to sell high on beal. And Kuzma is certainly playing well enough now that contenders would want him.
My best guess is Atlanta, because they need to try to win something with Young and Murray, could use an upgrade at forward and have expendable salary (Clint Capela, Bogdanovic, maybe Deandre Hunter, etc.) they could send back. Though I think their top choice is Siakam.
I agree in spirit, but it will be tough to move on from a leader like him. It’s important to have someone in line that can take over that role
100% spot on
If Kuz actually wanted to stay (yes I know what he posted), then I’d be for him staying. But he clearly wants to get back to the Lakers and/or a contender and compete for a title. Get him to a team to do that. I still think it’ll wind up being the Lakers. It’s just a matter of what we get back from them. Bron and AD clearly need help lol.
Trade Kuzma while his trade value is high. Stupid organizations trade players when their value craters. We missed the boat on Beal and many were screaming to trade him (like me). I think Deni and Kispert can be traded at some point too - Kispert more so.
Trading Kuzma is the best Basketball franchise decision, but Kuzma is the best product and marketing item since Wall. He is showbiz. Yall better not complain when no one develops since he’s taking 20 shots a night and has a 30%+ USG rate
