What's with Kuzma wanting an extension when he didn't even play well last season? This guy should be coming out blazing hot for the Lakers if he wants an extension. His new ad with Puma was him using the hate towards him as motivation... Time for Kuzma to prove it. All this talking and he shot 31% from three and couldn't be the Lakers third option last season isn't helping him. And this season, he's likely to be the 5-6th option. He's going to have to shoot better from three, play better defense, and become a better playmaker if he wants the money he thinks he is worth.
I feel like he's going to struggle this season trying to fit in, again. He loses even more touches this season with all the offensive fire power we have. Hope he continues developing defensively though because thats what we need, a big wing to defend the big wings.
If Kuzma becomes a good 3/D guy, he's going to get paid. He has to do both, though. Jerami Grant got paid $60 million/3 years. Grant averaged 12 points shooting 39% from three. If Kuzma can do what Grant does, he'll get a similar contract. If he does the same that he did last season, he's probably getting an $8-10 million deal per year.
If we don’t extend Kuzma, he would be an RFA next off-season right? Yeah, no chance I extend Kuzma then. I would hope the contract situation lights a fire under him and he plays much better, and take the risk that this may inflate his value forcing us to pay him more then if we had extended him (or even letting him walk for nothing). Because the other possibility is that he continues to be a poor fit and has another mediocre season, and we’d have the flexibility to retain him for cheap based on lower value in restricted free agency. If I was Rob, I’d be much more focused on possibly extending Caruso.
I agree, but I don't know if Kuzma has the lateral quickness to ever become a great defender. Being a slightly above average defender isn't what teams want from their 3 'n D specialists. He's an average to MAYBE slightly above average defender, and a below average 3 point shooter. His game is best suited to be a second option on a fringe playoff team at the moment. I honestly don't know how he will be able to contribute to this team this season unless he starts shooting 3's at a 40% clip. If he doesn't, our end game lineup of Davis/Harrell/Lebron/Schroder won't need a guy like Kuz.
If our intentions are to resign Schroder and Harrell long-term, we can lose Kuz for nothing and it won't effect us. He was supposed to bring scoring as a third option. At this point, he is a 5th option at best on offense and when it comes to overall importance to the team, he probably is the 7th or 8th most important player. This isn't like the C Bags losing Kyrie or Horford for little in return. Kuz may not even be a key contributor the way this team is currently constructed. I could see Lebron, AD, Schroder, Harrell, Caruso, KCP and Matthews all getting more minutes than Kuz this upcoming season. If it weren't for age, Gasol would likely get more minutes than him too.
yeah, his agent is wise to try to get one in now and is probably asking for too much (>15 per) with the lakers probably offering a clarkson deal. i think if they can't find common ground on an extension, i'd take a look around the league at guys who better fit what we're trying to do, even if they don't have his upside. some lotto team would love to have his scoring and personality, i think. and useful veteran wings don't serve much of a purpose in places like charlotte. or maybe another guy on his rookie deal who's more of a role player type and less of a scorer? anyway, i agree it's not a huge loss, but why take a loss? get something for him if you're far apart on contract negotiations.
I have no idea on the in and outs of the CBA but I agree you try to get something for Kuz if you don’t plan on resigning him, even if it’s just a second round pick. I still think his best value would be on a young team as a high usage player.
AC is not only better and cheaper than Kuzma, but I bet he will cost less as well If Kuzma can't shoot the 3 at a minimum of 33-34%, hopefully greater than or equal to 35 and continue to get better at defending, we may have to deal him
THT might be better than Kuz as well in the next couple of years so the Lakers will have to keep that in mind. If THT can be the 3/D player that we need, I don't see any reason to keeping Kuz unless for the cheap. He's from Flint, Michigan and already has a ring so he probably doesn't care where he plays as long as he's getting the money.
I gotta get something off my chest. I'm Kuz!! I have just been playing an old Lakers fan so I could hear what you are all saying about me. My feeling is hurt. But I only have a single feeling, so no big deal.
Or.... only if it’s in the team’s favor. You’re so confident? Bet on yourself, make it impossible for them NOT to play you (Like Caruso), and improve all around so that no matter what you get paid as a restricted FA. he’s in a situation where there’s very little benefit for the team to extend too far too soon until there are better results. He wants a big contract, but in reality, he was invisible a lot on offense when that was what we needed. He still needs to grow up and get a clue. And ABSOLUTELY no skinny jeans hahahaha
and maybe he can grow given opportunity. we can't afford that here and now. someone else maybe can. it's why i thought we might move him for bogdan, but his demand ended up too high.
Will be interesting to see how he fits with Schroeder and Harrell in the 2nd unit. He's just going to have to step up when it comes to defense, rebounding and knocking down open 3s. He is fully capable of being an effective stretch 4. The league has a place for him (& our team definitely needs it) If he's looking to have plays runs for him he's going to be disappointed. He's going to be an after thought on offense and he has to get used to that. I'm intrigued let's see what he's got to offer. I will be pulling for him.
