Los Angeles Lakers: What made the Pelicans pull the trigger

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Was Kyle Kuzma really in the mix for Griffin to make the deal? If not, was the first rounders the clincher?

David Grubb:

"If Griffin really wanted Kuzma, I think he could have gotten him, but with Zion in hand, he became redundant. I honestly feel the ask was part of Griffin’s strategy. He knew what he wanted, but you always ask for more than what you want in these types of negotiations."

Well if that’s case…mission accomplished. The story of the week outside of the Finals was Kyle Kuzma inclusion or lack thereof and the Lakers unwillingness to part with him. Either way the Lakers found a way to get past the front office voicemail.

Either way, the Lakers find themselves lucky that Kuzma is still on the roster. Many fans were not thrilled over most of the young core leaving like D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. This really would look worse if the Pels ended up getting all of the young players.

Especially a player that averaged 19 points a game last year. If Ball, Ingram and Hart play well and Kuzma declines, the Lakers will be in trouble.