3 Reasons why Los Angeles Lakers should trade Kyle Kuzma before the NBA Trade Deadline

The Los Angeles Lakers are off to their best start in years, as they lead the NBA with an imposing 23-3 (0.885) record. And unexpectedly so, Kyle Kuzma hasn't been getting his share of credit for the team's recent surge to glory.

He hasn't been the force that the Lakers fanbase is used to witnessing. The explanations for him not being able to adapt to the changing winds in LA are all over the internet. But here we will discuss why the Lakers can get even better than what they represent at the moment, if they chose to put Kuzma on the trade market for someone who can produce more reliably.

Let's take a look at precisely why the franchise should consider parting ways with the youngster in their search for an NBA Championship this year.

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#1 He hasn't been producing at the expected rate

Kuz is averaging a career-low 9.4 field goal attempts this year.

Kyle Kuzma is one of many to have suffered the after-effects of a turbulent Lakers offseason. The entry of a generational star in Anthony Davis meant that Kuz was no more the second-best player on the team after LeBron James.

When their new Head Coach, Frank Vogel decided to use him off the bench, the margin for error grew slimmer for the 24-year-old. And so far, he hasn't been able to contribute at an efficient rate. Although playing only 23 minutes per game this season, Kuzma has been shooting a career-low 43% from the field. Despite his three-ball falling at a respectable 36% clip, Kuz just hasn't shown that confidence on the offensive end of the floor as was the norm during his first two years.

His transition from a tough shot maker to a fairly streaky contributor due to drastic roster upturns hasn't served his individual stats one bit. Even though he is scoring at the third-best rate (11.1 ppg) in the team, it is not even half of what Bron and AD are posting on an individual basis.

#2 His fitness and durability are questionable

Kuzma recently underwent a precautionary MRI on his ankle

When Kuzma missed all of preseason and first two weeks of the regular season due to a stress injury to his ankle that he suffered during Team USA's FIBA World Cup Camp, the Lakers front office might not have been skeptical of his bodily limitations.

But if there's anything the past few weeks of his return have proved, it is that he is more susceptible to missing NBA action now than he has ever been. As of this moment, he has been sidelined again due to an ankle issue (which he says is not related to the offseason injury) as he missed the crucial Lakers road game against the Miami Heat. He has now missed two straight games and is currently considered day-to-day.

Although LA is cruising through their tough December schedule with a league-best win-loss record, recurring absences like these could have a major impact during what is projected to be a deep postseason run.

#3 The offensive heavy lifting for the Lakers is severely concentrated between two players

The only dynamic duo averaging over 25 ppg apiece.

While the Lakers find ways to power through for wins every night, it cannot be overlooked that the load distribution is disturbingly skewed. LeBron is averaging 25.9 points and 10.8 assists as Davis posts 27.4 points, 9.2 boards and 2.6 blocks per matchup.

The only three players averaging in double digits for the Lakers this year are Kuz, Bron, and AD. The purple-and-gold have seen consistent support from their second unit but the production on the offensive end is falling short by a mile. And Kuzma has been at the epicenter of those elevated expectations.

He just isn't taking enough of the burden off the team's superstars, which doesn't resonate promise in the long run. He has been a no show on the defensive end and continues to be unreliable for crunch on-court assignments.

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