<a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/james-harden-goran-dragic-and-all-nba-players-available-for-trade-after-december-15-20221211-SPD-3247.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyle Kuzma</a> told The Atheltic this week that he does not intend to sign an extension with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-teams-in-2022-23-nba-season-so-far-20221210-SPD-3243.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington Wizards</a> and would instead reject his player option for the 2023-24 season in order to become a free agent this summer.



While the Wizards have shown flashes of becoming a playoff contender this season, they haven’t done so in the previous two weeks, leading to speculation regarding Kyle Kuzma’s future with the organization. The 27-year-old Kuzma has become an integral part of the Wizards’ roster, so his intentions shouldn’t come as a shock.



 Washington, which has $208 million committed to Beal over the next four seasons and who also has Kristaps Porzingis under contract for next season through a player option, may move Kuzma at the February 9 trade deadline for valued assets rather than letting him depart in free agency with no return. Now that he may be available in a trade, let’s examine the top three landing spots for him.



<h2>3. Atlanta Hawks</h2>



John Collins is still available for a trade, and it’s becoming obvious that this squad needs some new blood. In terms of overall improvement, swapping Collins for Kuzma would not be a huge step forward, but he would be a better fit for the team.



Kuzma is superior at perimeter defense and can also contribute offensively by making three-point shots. Furthermore, the Atlanta Hawks have a wealth of promising young players they may employ to sweeten the deal.



<h2>2. Brooklyn Nets</h2>



The Washington Wizards have apparently been contacted by the Brooklyn Nets about making Kuzma available. As he satisfies both their idealized personality and their on-court requirements, this is not a shock.



T.J. Warren hasn’t done much to impress, so they could use another big man to aid them on the boards, come up with their own scoring opportunities, and relieve Kevin Durant of some of the load. It’s not like he’s a lockdown stopper, but he’d be an improvement on defense anyway.



<h2>1. Los Angeles Lakers</h2>



Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers are still smarting from the Russell Westbrook deal. He has never tried to hide the fact that he is deeply in love with Los Angeles.



The influence of stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Kuzma said, stunted his growth. But he also understands that his chances of winning a championship are better while wearing purple and gold.

Return to Hawks and two other possible landing spots for Kyle Kuzma - thesportsdrops NEWS

Return to Hawks and two other possible landing spots for Kyle Kuzma

destacadas

Even though <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/no-relationship-between-lebron-james-and-kareem-abdul-jabbar-20221005-SPD-2922.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> guard <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/russell-westbrook-to-stay-put-at-lakers-at-least-until-thanksgiving-holiday-20221020-SPD-3010.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> has been under intense criticism once again in the last week, several NBA players have come out in his favor. It was said that before the Lakers’ last preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Westbrook distanced himself from his teammates and then later joined a team huddle while they were being blown away.



The 33-year-old subsequently elaborated that he hadn’t been anywhere near the presentation of L.A.’s starting 5 due to his pregame ritual, which hasn’t altered in years. Even when the guard said he was “all in” on winning, the Lakers’ diehard fans still questioned his dedication.



Some current and past NBA players have come to Westbrook’s defense lately. These include Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers and Isaiah Thomas, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers. <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/turmoil-surrounding-kevin-durants-trade-request-to-nets-played-down-by-steve-nash-20220929-SPD-2865.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant,</a> now of the Brooklyn Nets, is the latest one to defend his old colleague.



<h2>What Kevin Durant said about Russell Westbrook’s criticism</h2>



“I mean Russ always did [that pre-game routing]. It feels like he was just getting his mind right, just his own routine before the game. But if you play in L.A. next to the biggest figure in sports in LeBron James, everything you do is gonna be magnified, especially if the outside perception is that your team is gonna struggle. People don’t trust that your team is gonna be good”, Durant told Boardroom.



“That’s how they feel about us, the Lakers, teams that they had high hopes for last year that didn’t come through. The Lakers got a big microscope on them so you got to be on point every time. So if Russell misses a layup it’s gonna be blown out of proportion. If he misses a 3, he might be 5 for 7, but he missed those two shots, you know what I’m saying?”



“I understand that there’s certain points where you don’t play well and you are open to criticism when you don’t play well — we get that. But it’s like now you’re making him the butt of your jokes. It’s getting to a point where it’s like alright, I get the criticism for what he did that night, but now it’s starting to reach a different level with some shit that I don’t understand right now. So hopefully he just keeps hooping and blocks all that noise out and prove to everybody that they’re wrong about how they feel about his game and they mesh over there in L.A. But when we play them, I hope they play shitty, but I hope all that stuff works out because I hate how they talk. The dialogue around our game is just so toxic at this point. I get criticism, but it’s starting to turn into something else right now.”

"NBA is so toxic at this point" - Kevin Durant stands up for former teammate Russell Westbrook - thesportsdrops NEWS

"NBA is so toxic at this point" – Kevin Durant stands up for former teammate Russell Westbrook

miniaturas

The summer of trade talks, difficult news conferences, and media shots didn’t quite pay off, as <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> has begun the 2022-23 NBA season while at <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-russell-westbrook-trade-the-lakers-have-seriously-considered-20221004-SPD-2889.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. However, this fact does not suggest that a major deal will not be made in the near future. Apparently, until around game 20, the Lakers plan to wait to make any trades.



After Thanksgiving, the Lakers will reportedly take a second look at the issue. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that they are banking on a shift in the trade market as a result of clubs’ bad starts, leading some to consider a rebuild in light of Victor Wembanyama’s likely availability in the next NBA Draft.



A trade involving Russell Westbrook and the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round choices would potentially provide a larger return for the latter team. The uncertainty of what may occur between now and Thanksgiving is a possible weakness of the strategy.



<h2>The issue with waiting until Thanksgiving for Lakers to trade Westbrook</h2>



Tuesday, the day before Thanksgiving, marks the Lakers’ 16th game. On Thursday, they’ll take on the Clippers, and then on the following days, they’ll face Portland, Denver, Minnesota, Denver once more, and finally, New Orleans, all of whom are currently in the postseason hunt.



Following that, they have two games against the Utah Jazz, who were widely predicted to be weaker than they really are after their opening night thrashing of the Nuggets. Prior to Thanksgiving, the Lakers will play the Cavaliers, the Nets, and a rematch versus the Clippers.

Russell Westbrook to stay put at Lakers at least until Thanksgiving holiday - thesportsdrops NEWS

Russell Westbrook to stay put at Lakers at least until Thanksgiving holiday

Almost everyone, including the NBA star himself, considers <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-russell-westbrook-trade-the-lakers-have-seriously-considered-20221004-SPD-2889.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Davis</a> a center. From the moment he came to Los Angeles, he made it clear that power forward was where he wanted to play. The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/no-relationship-between-lebron-james-and-kareem-abdul-jabbar-20221005-SPD-2922.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lakers</a> have sometimes played him at center in high-pressure circumstances, but they’ve often chosen to pair him with a more conventional center. 



Though he and his club have discussed making a permanent transition in positions almost every summer, nothing has come of it. After Russell Westbrook’s injury last summer, many people speculated that he might go to the center. On the season’s first game night, DeAndre Jordan started in the middle. 



Thomas Bryant and Damian Jones, two free agents the Lakers acquired this summer, were presumably brought in so that Davis wouldn’t have to play center. Still, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham has been cautiously testing the waters of having the 29-year-old in the center lineup this week.



<h2>What Darvin Ham said of Anthony Davis</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Absolutely. I mean, it’s not a knockdown, drag-out, bruiser body type game anymore, you know, the game we play at this level. So AD starting at the five is definitely on the table. That’s something that’s under heavy, heavy consideration. “Here, we want to put our best five out there to start the game and be able to have a really solid rotation. Once we get to the end of the game, should that game be close, you know, we can have a variety of things in our back pocket and throw at the opposing team, but AD starting at the five. I think that’s, that’s definitely plausible.”</blockquote>



After the game, Davis said that he is open to playing whatever position coach Ham sees fit, albeit power forward is still his first choice. Davis added, “I trust Coach’s decision,” Davis said. “I mean, I’m pretty sure he heard A.D. wants to play the 4, so he knows where I stand, but at the end of the day, I want to win, so if that’s me playing the 5, that’s what it’s got to be.”

Anthony Davis has preference for different position at Lakers despite showing willingness to play center - thesportsdrops NEWS

Anthony Davis has preference for different position at Lakers despite showing willingness to play center

The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/no-relationship-between-lebron-james-and-kareem-abdul-jabbar-20221005-SPD-2922.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> have renewed their trust in <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rob Pelinka</a> as the organization attempts to accommodate a new head coach, recover from one of the most dismal seasons in club history, and make the most of what remains of LeBron James’ outstanding career.



According to ESPN‘s reporting, league sources verified that the Lakers’ VP of basketball operations and general manager, Rob Pelinka, secured a contract extension in the summer that would keep him with the team through the 2025-26 season.



According to the insiders, the deal was finalized in June, around the time the organization named Darvin Ham as its 28th coach. Reports indicate that the move was made so that Ham could feel comfortable working with the front office during his time in Los Angeles.



<h2>Rob Pelinka to remain with Lakers until 2025-26 season</h2>



After spending most of his career as an agent for Kobe Bryant, the 52-year-old executive finally made his way to the front office in Los Angeles in 2017. First, he had to undo some of the moves made by former general manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Jim Buss.



After overseeing the team’s free agency acquisition of James in July 2018 and trade for Anthony Davis in June 2019, he was moved from general manager to vice president of basketball operations in January 2020. In the last four years, under Pelinka’s leadership, the franchise has also let go of coaches Luke Walton and Frank Vogel and front office leader Magic Johnson.

Rob Pelinka signs long-term extension with Lakers through 2026 - thesportsdrops NEWS

Rob Pelinka signs long-term extension with Lakers through 2026

There is no question that <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-the-russell-westbrook-trade-the-lakers-have-seriously-considered-20221004-SPD-2889.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> will eventually surpass <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/kawhi-leonard-to-make-injury-comeback-to-clippers-lineup-in-pre-season-game-against-trail-blazers-20221002-SPD-2883.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a> as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Considering James is still playing at a high level and is coming off a year in which he averaged over 30 points per game, he should overtake the Los Angeles Lakers star and Hall of Famer at some point this season. 



Assuming he remains healthy, James has a shot at the record midway through the season if he scores around the same number of points for the Lakers as he did last year.



This is a big deal for the start of the season, but LeBron didn’t say much about his feelings toward or history with Abdul-Jabbar. LeBron James was questioned about the Lakers’ legendary former player and whether or not the two were related after Monday night’s pre-season opener.



<h2>LeBron James gives frigid answer on possibility of breaking Kareem’s record</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“No thoughts, and no relationship,” James said.</blockquote>



It was a very frigid comment about a real legend of the Lakers and the NBA, and someone with whom James will be associated for months. The veteran is now 1,325 points short of catching up to Abdul-all-time Jabbar’s record of 38,387 as the new year begins. He would need only 49 games to reach the mark if he kept up his career scoring average of 27.1 points per contest.

'No relationship' between LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - thesportsdrops NEWS

'No relationship' between LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Following a poor <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-made-the-playoffs-last-year-they-didnt-patrick-beverley-pokes-fun-at-new-teammates-lebron-james-and-anthony-davis-2706-20220907-SPD-2706.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first season</a> with the Lakers, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a>‘s days in Los Angeles looked numbered. For many, there was no way the team would keep him for the 2022-23 NBA season.



However, it turns out that the team may actually give it another shot with the former NBA MVP. Westbrook picked up his player option this offseason, and the team seems fine about <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-russell-westbrook-willing-to-make-big-commitment-for-the-lakers-2693-20220906-SPD-2693.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running things back</a> together.



Darvin Ham heaped praise on him from day one, Jeanie Buss also admired his availability last season, and even <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-lakers-committed-to-helping-lebron-james-but-theres-a-catch-20220927-SPD-2849.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> supported Brodie. However, according to Shams Charania, the Lakers have seriously considered trading Westbrook to the Pacers.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Lakers considered sending Russell Westbrook to Indiana</h2>



(Via The Athletic)



“On the cusp of training camp, as media day neared and the topic of Westbrook’s uncertain future continued to dominate the conversation around the NBA, sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations say the Lakers’ key decision-makers spent several days engaged in deep conversations about the feasibility of a blockbuster trade with Indiana.



“Vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeanie Buss and senior basketball adviser Kurt Rambis seriously considered sending Westbrook and unprotected first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Pacers for center Myles Turner and guard Buddy Hield, sources said.“

NBA Rumors: The Russell Westbrook trade the Lakers have seriously considered - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA Rumors: The Russell Westbrook trade the Lakers have seriously considered

The <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-russell-westbrook-willing-to-make-big-commitment-for-the-lakers-2693-20220906-SPD-2693.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> want to leave two <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-made-the-playoffs-last-year-they-didnt-patrick-beverley-pokes-fun-at-new-teammates-lebron-james-and-anthony-davis-2706-20220907-SPD-2706.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disappointing seasons</a> behind to get back to glory days. The team may have work to do to get there, but with LeBron James on their roster, they are allowed to dream.



After months of speculation, The King put pen to paper to a contract extension with the Purple and Gold. He may be 37, but he is not showing any signs of slowing down. Instead, it looks like he has a lot left in the tank.



James is also a true competitor, so the front office must play its part and surround him with the right tools. <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rob Pelinka</a> said the team will do an effort to put the best team possible around LeBron, but only if it’s a “smart” trade.



<h2>Rob Pelinka explains how Lakers plan to build around LeBron</h2>



“Let me abundantly clear: We have one of the great players in LeBron James to ever play the game on our team,” Pelinka said, via Fadeaway World. “He committed to us with a long-term contract, a three-year contract. So of course we will do everything we can, picks included, to make deals that give us a chance to help LeBron get to the end.



“He committed to our organization. That’s got to be a bilateral commitment, and it’s there. Again, as I started the question by saying, we are committed to doing everything we can to put the best team around LeBron as long as it’s a smart trade because of the limitations caused by the Stepien rule and the implications of that.”

NBA News: Lakers committed to helping LeBron James, but there's a catch - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA News: Lakers committed to helping LeBron James, but there's a catch

Following his excellent play for Germany at the 2022 EuroBasket, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-made-the-playoffs-last-year-they-didnt-patrick-beverley-pokes-fun-at-new-teammates-lebron-james-and-anthony-davis-2706-20220907-SPD-2706.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dennis Schroder</a> returns to the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/bill-russells-no-6-jersey-retired-by-nba-the-last-players-to-wear-no-6-for-each-team-2510-20220812-SPD-2510.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. After the playmaker departed the Lakers in 2021, everything went downhill for Schroder in the NBA. 



A few months before the 2022 NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Warriors, the guard signed with Boston but was moved to Houston midway through the season. However, Schroder’s performance for Germany in the EuroBasket has garnered him a lot of attention. 



The 29-year-old’s side advanced to the semi-finals because of his play, on average, of 21.6 points and 7.3 assists per game. When compared to the other four players who made it to the championship round, his point average was far and by the best.



<h2>Schroder opted for Lakers over Raptors and Suns</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">According to NBA source Shams Charania, who spoke with The Rally, Schroder chose the Lakers over the Toronto Raptors and the Phoenix Suns: “Dennis Schroder was deciding between a few teams, the Lakers, the Raptors as well as the Phoenix Suns, I’m told. But he decided to sign with the Lakers on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. A couple years ago, he played for the Lakers, he turned down a major extension. “But now he returns and he brings competitiveness, more depth in their backcourt — and this is a guy that played at a very high level just now for Germany in EuroBasket, led them to the semifinals. And this is a guy that’s going to come into camp. He’s been to the playoffs in seven of his nine NBA seasons. So this is a guy that’s battle-tested. The last time the Lakers made the playoffs in 2021, Dennis Schroder was their starting point guard.”</blockquote>



After signing with the Lakers, Schroder stated he was motivated to “put [explicit] right” and that it was a “honor” to represent Los Angeles in the NBA. Guard felt misunderstood and that “nobody truly knew the tale” about the strange circumstances surrounding his resignation from the Purple and Gold in 2021. The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly made an extension offer to Schroder worth up to $84 million for the 2020-21 season, but he turned it down.

Dennis Schroder returns to Lakers after rejecting offers from Raptors and Suns - thesportsdrops NEWS

Dennis Schroder returns to Lakers after rejecting offers from Raptors and Suns

Never will you hear anybody say that <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Patrick Beverley</a> lacks self-assurance. He confirmed his reputation at Tuesday’s news conference, his first with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-russell-westbrook-willing-to-make-big-commitment-for-the-lakers-2693-20220906-SPD-2693.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>.



Many people were taken aback when Beverley was sent off to the Lakers last month. Beverley quickly cut off the reporter who had begun the inquiry by claiming that he would get to play alongside <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-defends-best-player-last-season-russell-westbrook-2646-20220831-SPD-2646.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LeBron James</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/neither-lebron-nor-davis-draymond-green-says-this-player-was-key-for-lakers-2020-title-2493-20220810-SPD-2493.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anthony Davis</a>.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“They’re gonna be playing with me. I made the playoffs last year, they didn’t. It’s a difference … I’m glad that, you know, we get a chance to play with each other.”</blockquote>



<h2>Patrick Beverley won’t submit to likes of James or Davis</h2>



There is also a history between Beverley and LeBron. The veteran point guard recently admitted to carrying a chip on his shoulder because of his dismissal from the Heat as a rookie soon after LeBron’s arrival.



Meanwhile, even though Westbrook and the 34-year-old are rivals, he was the only Lakers player to show up to Beverley’s first formal debut with the club. The duo established together they are ready to join up by enthusiastically hugging each other after the point guard had finished speaking.

"I made the playoffs last year, they didn't" - Patrick Beverley pokes fun at new teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis - thesportsdrops NEWS

"I made the playoffs last year, they didn't" – Patrick Beverley pokes fun at new teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis

Nothing went as expected for <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Westbrook</a> last year, in his first season with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-defends-best-player-last-season-russell-westbrook-2646-20220831-SPD-2646.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. The team expected Brodie to improve the team alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he left a lot to be desired.



Westbrook has been heavily linked with a trade out of LA throughout the offseason, but with training camp drawing nearer and not many landing spots out there, it’s possible that he comes back for the 2022-23 season.



Though there is still time for the Lakers to find him a new home, Westbrook is reportedly ready to do what it takes to come back stronger this year. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-players-with-most-triple-doubles-of-all-time-214-20220503-SPD-214.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russ</a> would attend a LeBron James minicamp before the season gets underway.



<h2>Rumor: Russell Westbrook would attend a players-only minicamp before the start of the season</h2>



“LeBron James typically hosts a players-only minicamp somewhere on the West Coast before training camp starts, so stay tuned. Word is that another Lakers minicamp is likely in coming days and that Russell Westbrook would indeed attend if it comes together,” Stein wrote in his substack.



“Any sort of pre-camp gathering involving LeBron and his fellow purple-and-gold vets would represent a key step in the Lakers’ efforts to move past all the tension that bubbled throughout last season’s rocky 33-49 campaign, bringing James and Anthony Davis together with Westbrook and the newly acquired Patrick Beverley before the Lakers report for their first practices under new coach Darvin Ham on Sept. 26

Los Angeles Lakers