Either way, the Lakers win this transaction. If he plays up to the contract value we win. If we decide to combine him and two others for a Bradley Beal type later, we win. This is a win / win. Another great Rob move. I only wish Rob was actually competent, not constantly scrambling, knew a shred of the salary cap rules, blah blah blah...
This might be Rob's best move of the off season. If Kuz performs, its a steal. If Bradley Beal demands a trade in February, hello 3rd star for Kuz and Schroeder. Excellente.
I completely agree with OX here. I mean, not only is this good value for us, it makes Kuzma's contract very "friendly" in trades. Not too small - so, not just a filler, but not huge and practically unmovable. If things work out, great... if they don't we can try to put him in a better position when he's in his prime. Him+Schroeder is $29M combined per year, for example. That's great value to a team with an unhappy star.
i'm surprised he took it. glad for him and us. there was a chance the contract hanging over him hurt both parties this year (him pressing, us feeling like we had to give him opportunities, etc.). he's paid now, so we can all focus on winning. and right in the clarkson range but for fewer years. nice work.
100% this I really like this contract for both sides, and the timing is perfect. Despite what some might think, I think Kuz has already earned this type of contract, and he will be important in a number of areas for a repeat/threepeat.
I like the compromise that this contract is a little light for what other players of Kuz’s level bring, but Kuz got a player option on the last year as compensation.
Kuzma and Schroder isn't enough for Beal. We'd have to probably throw in The Eagle at minimum as well. More likely it would be Schroder/Kuz/THT for Beal.
True. It would have to be after July first next year or whenever the new year started, and at that point, is Schroder still a Laker? But Kuzma is now big enough that we might be able to package THT and KCP with Kuzma next season. And no, I'm not sure I even do that deal if THT continues at this level.
Basically this caps a perfect offseason by Rob and our FO. Most importantly we locked in both of our superstars for multiple years going forward, cementing the best one two combo in the league and our status as championship contenders for the foreseeable future. Next we kept our own valuable championship role players on basically team friendly deals in KCP, Kuz and Morris as well. We also added youth and fire power to our bench with the 6th man of the year and runner up 6th man of the year in Trez and Schroder. Lastly we secured a couple of excellent vets in Wes Jr. and Marc Gasol who are great fits in the starting lineup and on bargain contracts. Meanwhile we kept and continue to develop AC Fresh and THT who have looked outstanding so far in preseason. Oh yeah, and we made good on loyalty deals for our championship chemistry guys Dudley and Cook. A+!!!!
Great deal. Removes another guy who might have been worrying about getting his "numbers" instead of just doing what the team needs. Now just have to worry about Schroeder and maybe TT. I expect the same up and down Kuzma on offense but as long as he did what he was asked to last year: play defense against tough wings and be a threat on offense it will be great for the team and him
THT is going to make the Lakers an option for teams looking to dump a star that they weren't before. It's going to be tricky for Pelinka as THT, Kuzma potentially are great long term fits for AD as Lebron ages but man it would be hard not to pass on a guy like Beal when you still would have the ability to pair him with KCP and Caruso in the backcourt
Love this. Rob has a knack of signing deals that benefit us and the player. Us being defending champions helps sweeten incentives and pull off deals I guess. I am sure Schroder or some player in the past will end up disgruntled at some point, but let's win another championship and worry about that later. In my mind, Kuz talking about his role on the Lakers was more about the contract than the court and I expect him to settle down to some better performances now, and hopefully heading into him averaging 17 plus a game with some high twenty points games scattered amongst his box scores.
Kuzma can learn from Wes Mathews on how to be a proficient 3 and D player. The league finds those role players to be highly valuable Mathews entering his 12th year has made $108 mil so far (imagine how much he saved by playing in Texas for 4 years with no income tax)
