Kyle Kuzma and the Los Angeles Lakers have been subject of criticism recently after people started remembering that Kuz stayed with the team when they decided to deal Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram to New Orleans in the blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles almost two years ago.
After that, the player was expected to become the third-best player on the team behind LeBron James and AD but so far, he has had a lesser role on the Lakers lineup, trying to adjust his game to the needs of the team and doing it very well.
However, people still believed the purple and gold made a huge mistake by keeping Kuzma instead of dealing him to the Pelicans and retaining one of Ingram and Ball. One NBA fan recently remembered how the Lakers felt that Kuz was the better player of the three and shipped the other two, who have become very good figures on their team.
The Lakers really thought Kuzma was the best out of these 3😭😭 pic.twitter.com/olG2wMyOVE
— Mink Flow (@currypistonn) April 27, 2021
This started a debate with other fans, who defended the Lakers’ decision, explained why keeping Kuzma on board was the same option for them and also saying that he’s playing as the team wants him to play and that’s enough for them.
— Mink Flow (@currypistonn) April 27, 2021
To me, Magic made a mistake when he signed LeBron, by signing too many other players to one year deals. So, when it came time to make a trade for AD, the Lakers FO only had Zo and BI to match ADs salary. The deal sweetener was picks & Hart or Kuz.
— kaialii (@kaialii) April 27, 2021
if Kuz got the volume of shots BI has on the pels, hed be better than BI
— 🧛🏿 (@305MadeTrey) April 27, 2021
No. The Pelicans didn't want him. The Lakers tried to keep Ingram the Pelicans said no trade unless he is in. Imagine that the team you're trading to get a player with the caliber of Davis picks the players they want not who you want to give them.
— Joshua polk (@Joshuapolk8) April 27, 2021
BI and Zo would’ve never improved if they never were traded. Lakers missed out
— George Hathaway (@hathawaygeorge9) April 27, 2021
Why is this even still a conversation!?!? Kuz was kept because of the role he would play on the team and his salary…Jesus..🤦🏾 its not that hard to comprehend. BI wanted to start and get volume shots, Zo was struggling and Bron was gonna play PG…so he'd be out of position…
— D (@Rydah_81) April 27, 2021
https://twitter.com/AdamIsKing38/status/1387049384701939723
I do remember there being alot of talk at the time that kuzma was the one the lakers really weren't willing to move tho. Even at the trade deadline the original deal that fell apart, wasn't it because the pels wanted kuzma and the lakers wouldn't do it? I could be misremembering
— vincent ercole (@vinnyercole) April 27, 2021
Excuse me?! No, Brandon Ingram and LeBron James were never going to work together because Bron needs the ball in his hands to dictate pace, and Ingram needs the ball to get his shot. Lonzo was not at that time what he is now, and Kyle Kuzma was the reliable Catch & Shoot guy.
— Sports Zone (@SportsZone11) April 27, 2021
They never thought he was the best. They kept him because they thought he'd be a better fit next to LeBron and they were right. Brandon Ingram was never going to buy into the role Kuz has on the Lakers. Lonzo's shooting was still bad last season when they won a championship.
— SiKHA_ZA🇿🇦 (@SiCartel) April 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/HoodieBronn/status/1387049008917467139
Amazes me how people associate numbers with being good. Kuzma is playing his role and being rewarded for doing so. He is the only 1 with a chip and probably the only 1 going to the playoffs this year. Remember, Kevin Love put up big number in Minnesota, how is that working out?
— Rock_white (@rakemawhite) April 27, 2021
Last time I checked kuz got a ring tho what Ingram got?????? Oh he has Zion that's about it 😆😂 #lakeshow #defendingchamps 💪🏾🏆
— Va($)Slim🌬💨😏😤 (@vadollasignslim) April 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/MikeGR0321/status/1387276652913127427https://twitter.com/anthonydavisinc/status/1387074619681636353
The Lakers had a very interesting group of young players in 2018, they were trying to build something good in L.A. but things changed in the summer of 2019. LeBron received Anthony Davis at the Staples Center to create one of the deadliest duos in the association.
In the end, that move paid off for the organization. They won the 2020 NBA championship and even though things aren’t going that good for them right now, as long as they have Bron and Davis on the court, the Lakers will be considered favorites to take the Larry O’Brien trophy home.
Ingram and Ball have developed in New Orleans and BI is seen as the future of the franchise alongside Zion Williamson. As for Ball, even if he doesn’t have many options with the Pels, he won’t miss suitors in the 2021 free agency.
