NBA 2020-21: Kyle Kuzma and the LA Lakers have reached an agreement about a new contract extension. The contract is said to be of 3 years, $40 million, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
Kuzma, 25, averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during his rookie season. He shot 45 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three, and there was a strong debate to be made that he had a more prosperous rookie season than his more hyped match, Lonzo Ball.
The 6’8″, 221-pound forward showed growth in several aspects in his sophomore campaign.
He averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, though his three-point shooting (30.3 percent) sank. Nevertheless, he fits in more easily next to superstar LeBron James than either Ball or Brandon Ingram.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma has agreed to a three-year, $40M contract extension, including a player option on 2023-2024 season, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2020
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The Lakers valued him enough to keep him out of their significant trade combination for Anthony Davis, but Kuzma did not perform as the fans expected.
And with both Davis and James capable of playing the 4, Kuzma never quite fit with the pair as they led the Lakers to a title last season.
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There was the thought that moving him might be required to add a third star, though it appears any such plans are now on the back burner.
If he can rediscover his three-point shot, he’s the prototypical stretch 4 in the modern NBA. While he probably doesn’t have the upside to be a superstar, he can be a good player on the Lakers for years to come.
NBA 2020-21 Schedule: The tentative NBA schedule calendar for the 2020-21 season:
• Dec. 11-19, 2020: Preseason games
• Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021: First Half of regular season
• March 5-10, 2021: All-Star break
• March 11 – May 16, 2021: Second Half of regular season
• May 18-21, 2021: Play-In Tournament
• May 22 – July 22, 2021: 2021 NBA Playoffs
