LeBron James Makes Strong Statement on Kyle Kuzma’s Future

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James is optimistic about Kyle Kuzma and his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. If you ask the king of basketball, he will say that Kuzma is about to have an excellent season.

He confirmed this on Twitter. LeBron came across a Hoop Central post, reading: “Name an NBA player you think will take a giant leap this season.”

Guess whose name popped on Twitter… The king himself.  LeBron responded with: “Kyle Kuzma!”

Kyle Kuzma! https://t.co/W2oDJkFLP7

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 4, 2020

We couldn’t agree more. Many NBA fans would agree with the king on this one. LeBron is just trying to support his 25-year-old teammate. Doubters had some hard words for the young Laker, and he was a constant target this season.

LeBron is positive about Kyle Kuzma and his future as a Laker

The Lakers superstar made similar somments at the beginning of the 2019-20 season. He said that Kuzma really needs to be the Lakers’ third-best player to win a ring.

“In order for us to win a championship, he has to be our third-best player,” LeBron said of Kuzma. “If I’m struggling or if A.D. is struggling he has to be our second-best player on any given night. We can’t win a championship if Kuz doesn’t play well.”

LeBron James on Kyle Kuzma

"In order for us to win a championship he has to be our third best player.”

(Via @LakersReporter) pic.twitter.com/SPhXCHDmsy

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 11, 2020

The Lakers won the championship, but Kuzma wasn’t the third-best player on the roster. He was excellent in his first two seasons with the Lakers, but had a different role this past season. He was coming off the bench as a sixth player, averaging 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in his 25 minutes per game.

In the 2018-19 season, Kuzma played 30 minutes per game and was averaging 19 points per night. This doesn’t change the fact that the young player was a good contributor to the floor.

Kuzma has a year left on his rookie contract. His agent has allegedly had talks with the Lakers front office. Both sides have yet to make an official statement.

Rob Pelinka interested in keeping Kuzma in LA

Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka said the franchise was open to give Kuzma an extension at the right time.

“In terms of Kuz, since we drafted him he’s been terrific, we’ve all seen his growth. As you guys know, the way the rules work, he has next season under contract with the Lakers and he’s extension eligible this offseason,” Pelinka said. “He has great representation, and when the time is right we’ll sit down and speak with them.”

Rob Pelinka said Lakers will talk with Kyle Kuzma's agent (about possible contract extension) "when the time is right."

— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) November 19, 2020

Pelinka added a bunch of talented players to the roster, and Kuzma will have to battle for minutes. He is more than excited about the new season and the chances it brings.

“I just want to build on what I did in the playoffs from a defensive standpoint,” Kuzma told reporters on Thursday. “And improve my all-around game.”