Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Derrick Rose, G Rodney McGruder, DET 2024 1st Round Pick (Lottery-Protected)
Detroit Pistons Receive: F Kyle Kuzma, G Alex Caruso, F Jared Dudley, LAL 2023 2nd Round Pick
Out of all the trade packages to bring Derrick Rose to the Los Angeles Lakers, this one is probably the most extreme in terms of assets being traded.
Kyle Kuzma just signed a three-year, $40M contract extension to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers through the 2023-24 NBA season, so they would likely do everything they could to keep him, but hypothetically, he could be involved in this trade to bring Rose and McGruder to Los Angeles.
Rodney McGruder has barely played for the Detroit Pistons this season, but has been a solid role player in his career. In 219 career games, McGruder has averaged 5.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and has shot 33.6% from three-point range. Having a veteran player like him on the bench with experience being a perimeter-oriented wing could be useful for a team looking to win back-to-back titles.
The Lakers would also be getting a first-round pick in 2024 in this trade scenario with the Detroit Pistons, which could be extremely important down the road.
As of right now, the Lakers have four first round picks through 2027 and could really use some future draft assets since nobody knows when LeBron James is going to retire. This organization has to be cognizant that he is on the back-half of his career and could retire within the next few seasons, which is why they have to make sure they are set up for success in the seasons following James’ retirement.
Getting a future first-round pick does so and allows them to try and draft some young talent to put on this roster and develop overtime to maintain their top-tier status in the NBA. Out of all the trades, this one seems like a curveball and unlikely to occur, but all-in-all, it is not that bad of a trade for either side since the Lakers would be getting two veteran role players to aid them in their pursuit for another title with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
