Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is not buying what Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is selling about the future of its roster.
The Lakers made an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals this season. After a 2-10 start, the Lakers found a spark following February’s trade deadline with the additions of Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Jared Vanderbilt.
Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers advanced to the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Then as a seventh-seed upset the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors in the first two rounds before being swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Denver Nuggets.
Despite the disappointing conclusion of the season, the Lakers may have found its nucleus moving forward. However, those same players are up for free agency this summer.
Russell, Hachimura, and breakout star Austin Reaves are free agents in the summer. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt will be in a contract year next season. Still, Pelinka vowed the Lakers intend to keep the supporting cast intact.
“Our intentions are to keep our core of young guys together,” Pelinka said.
That prompted Kuzma to respond on Twitter, “Head that before,” with four crying laughing emojis.
Kuzma has been down that road before with the Lakers. After helping the team claim its 17th NBA title in 2020, Kuzma signed a three-year, $39 million extension. However, he never played a game with the Lakers under that contract. Instead, Pelinka traded Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Washington Wizards before the start of the 2021-22 season in the trade that gave the Lakers Russell Westbrook.
Thus, Kuzma’s reaction to Pelinka was spot on. Reaves and Hachimura may be at the top of the Lakers’ priorities. Yet, there are already grumblings that Russell could be the odd man out if the Lakers can somehow acquire Kyrie Irving.
LeBron James just completed his 20th season in the NBA, and he’s 38 years old. James hinted at a possible retirement. But some pundits interpret that as a ploy to get the Lakers to push for Irving. Or maybe even fellow Klutch Sports client Trae Young?
Despite, Pelinka’s vow, the Lakers’ young core shouldn’t get comfortable wearing purple and gold. Just ask Kyle Kuzma.
