Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma said that his former teammates, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, are excited for the opportunity to play with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Los Angeles Lakers roster underwent a major overhaul this offseason. The young core that they had put together from previous drafts was broken up as the team made a blockbuster trade prior to the 2019 NBA Draft.
Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart were all a part of the trade package to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis. The only member of that young core that remained in Los Angeles was Kyle Kuzma.
Those four players were expected to be the backbone of the next great era of Lakers basketball. With those four in place and LeBron James added last season, the team was expected to climb back into contender status, but things never materialized.
As a result, the front office looked to make a change. They acquired Davis from the Pelicans, giving James an All-Star running mate.
While fans were disappointed the organization didn’t see through the rebuild totally with the younger players, the team is ready to contend again right away. The young players that were sent to New Orleans, according to Kuzma, are excited for the new opportunity that awaits them.
"“They were excited,” Kuzma said of Ingram, Ball and Hart after the trade. “It’s a little bit less pressure. They didn’t [actually] say that. But obviously being in L.A., there’s more pressure. They can be themselves now. They can go to New Orleans and develop into the superstars they were supposed to be.”"
There will indeed be less pressure in New Orleans. They will no longer be under the bright lights and scrutiny of Hollywood or be under the immense pressure that comes along with playing on a LeBron James-led squad.
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Instead, they will be afforded the chance to continue their development as the Lakers had intended when they were all drafted. Those three have a new fourth member to grow alongside in Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
New Orleans now has one of the most impressive young cores in the NBA and some solid veterans to help them develop as well. Jrue Holiday, J.J. Redick and Derrick Favors should all help the young guys out given the amount of experience each of them has.
The Pelicans and Lakers games this season are going to be some of the most popular ones for fans to see. Lakers fans will always have a soft spot for the guys they drafted and will want to see them succeed in New Orleans.
But, on the nights they are facing off against the purple and gold, they will be rooted against just as every other opponent will be.