Kuzma Starting

[kblo247]

Quote: Pelinka notes that with the departure of Danny Green, he expects that Kyle Kuzma can enhance his role as defender for the team with the abilities he showed throughout the bubble.

Quote: Rob Pelinka says that "when the time is right" they'll sit down and talk with Kyle Kuzma and his agent about an extension.

Quote: In 142 minutes of regular season play, the 4-man lineup of Bron, AD, KCP, Kuz registered +11.8 NetRtg


Time for Kuzma to be Rick Fox who replaced Glen Rice

[RoyceDa59]

If Kuzma starts focusing his attention on the defensive end and develops into a tenacious defender - he becomes infinitely more valuable and useful to the Lakers, and as a trade chip. His contract is still fantastic.


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[Dr Aki]

Almost zero chance he gets traded without a big defensive wing coming back now.

[Kilroy]

I guess maybe this organization really is THAT high on Kuzma... Seems like we're gearing up to overpay for a guy who's consistently underperformed and is an awful fit... I suppose every team has a guy like that.

And what defensive improvement? He's never met a head-fake he didn't fall for. He's always jumping around on screens... He's routinely out of position... All that and his shot still doesn't go in.

None of these things says starter to me...

[TheHartBreakKid]

I see it like this:

Kuz is most likely gone by the deadline. with LeBron expected to rest more, this is a great opportunity to showcase him, let's him get his numbers around that 20 ppg mark, and trade him at the deadline for his highest value (vs arguably his lowest value right now)

Only concern is him looking silly chasing 2s around.I like it though from an asset management perspective

[Vae Victus]

Kuz isnt going anywhere, since the Lakers cant really get a young wing of equal talent AND contract back. Thus the Lakers are stuck with Kuzma unless he vastly improves or the trade market shifts.

The Lakers just dont have many salary ballast contracts to play with.

[Slink]

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What I got from Pelinka is, "Prove to me that your're worth the money."

[Up-And-Coming]

I can understand this train of thought. You won't get any Wing that's as versatile as Kuzma for just $3.5 million. If he doesn't have much value in a trade right now, then he's more valuable to keep. He is on the last year of his contract and he should have no lack of motivation to perform his best. Hopefully he improves and shows out

[Beethoven]

I don't mind keeping kuz. He will have a better year this year all around.