Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is in the process of determining what shoe brand he will don next.
It is unarguable that the last few seasons have not been particularly kind to the Los Angeles Lakers. The sheer fact that the team has not made it to the postseason for six consecutive years has put them in uncharted territory.
Although that is true, one area that has treated the team rather kindly over that same span has been the NBA draft. Over the last handful of years or so, the Lakers have drafted players such as Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and Lonzo Ball.
Granted those players did not necessarily perform at All-Star levels for Los Angeles, they did show flashes of why they were given a chance in the first place.
In addition to the trio mentioned above, another crucial piece the Lakers picked up two summers ago came in the form of Kyle Kuzma. One could contend that he was the biggest surprise that came out of that specific draft class.
During 2017’s NBA Summer League, Kuzma electrified fans simply by virtue of the confidence in his playing style. He showed the NBA world that he possessed fearlessness, which is a trait that cannot really be taught.
From the get-go, Kuzma demonstrated an impressive amount of versatility in his offensive game, which instantly made him a worthwhile pick. Throughout his first two seasons with the purple and gold, he certainly used his offensive gifts to his advantage.
Fortunately for the Lakers, Kuzma remains on the team given that he was not involved in the Anthony Davis trade back in June. He has a legitimate opportunity in front of him to transform from a very good player to a great player in 2019-2020.
Let alone the opportunity he has from an on the court standpoint, it is also high time for the Lakers’ rising star to elevate his game off the court.
According to Ron Gutterman of Lakers Nation, Kuzma currently has the luxury to sign with any sneaker brand he desires. The Michigan native is fresh off a two-year pact with Nike.
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Via the same report, Nike is mulling over the idea of re-signing Kuzma to a shoe deal. However, a couple other notable brands are vying to bring Kuzma aboard as their next representative.
Shams Charania of The Athletic confirmed this in a recent piece he compiled (per transcription from Gutterman). Charania’s entire article can be leafed through with a paid subscription to the publication.
The fact that Kuzma is accumulating interest from several companies is a testament to what he has put in thus far. It is palpable that Nike saw enough from the 6-foot-9 baller to have given him the original two-year deal.
At this exact juncture, Kuzma now has the golden opportunity to sign a lucrative extension with Nike or ditch them and move toward a different brand. In the most literal sense of the word, the ball is in his court.
To have such control at a relatively young age sheds a lot of light on far “Kuz” has come. He has definitely proven in his first two campaigns that he belongs in the NBA, which validates why the market is bustling for Kuzma’s services.
Per Nick DePaula of ESPN, Kuzma is happy to see that multiple big names have taken an interest in signing him. The third-year player was not afraid to admit that “hard work” has played a heavy role in terms of where things currently stand.
"“It’s definitely exciting,” he said. “Going from where I came as an unheralded prospect out of high school and college, going into the NBA, it’s going to be pretty cool to see sneaker companies take a big interest in me. It’s a credit to my hard work.”"
Frankly, whatever brand Kuzma ends up signing with will ultimately pale in comparison to what lies ahead. As Gutterman reminds us, Kuzma has a strong chance to represent Team USA for this year’s FIBA World Basketball Cup.
Additionally, the popular Laker is expected to make a substantial jump headed into his third year in the league. Given that he is the remaining piece left from the young core, all eyes will be on him to execute night in and night out.
Without a doubt, the 2017-2018 NBA All-Rookie First Team member has a polished offensive game. Headed into the 2019-2020 campaign, the purple and gold can only hope Kuzma will show more consistency on defense.
The Lakers’ front office has managed to put together a championship contender over the course of the summer. Kuzma has a great opportunity before him to be a part of a potentially special group, so extra bonuses like a shoe deal are only icing on the cake for the young man.