Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Kyle Kuzma, who has reportedly chosen an interesting representative group.
There have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors in recent days. A lot of those Lakers rumors has revolved around Dwight Howard, who was signed to help replace the injured DeMarcus Cousins.
It will take a team effort to replace what Cousins would have brought to the team. One of the players who will be asked to step up, even more, is Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma has said he is willing to help the team on the court by playing, which is a good thing. Off the court, Kuzma has made an interesting decision.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Kuzma will be signing with CAA to be his representation on and off the court.
Kuzma had previously been represented by Mark Bartelstein.
Los Angeles Lakers F Kyle Kuzma has signed with @CAA_Basketball for his on and off court representation.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 28, 2019
Normally, players changing representation wouldn’t be much of a story. It is something that happens more frequently than you would think. However, this one will draw headlines because of who Kuzma chose.
It is no secret that CAA and the Lakers organization have had a rocky relationship in recent years. It began when D’Angelo Russell, a CAA client represented by Aaron Mintz, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Magic Johnson had some choice words about Russell, essentially saying he was not the leader the Lakers were looking for.
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Julius Randle, another former lottery pick and Mintz client, also had some rough patches with the organization. His constantly changing roles didn’t sit well with him at times. When he became a free agent, the Lakers never seriously considered bringing him back, something many people thought was a mistake.
Mintz also represented Paul George, and we all know how that turned out. Not only did the Lakers fail to acquire him in a trade from the Indiana Pacers or even get a meeting with him when he became a free agent, but George will also now play for their co-tenents, the LA Clippers.
The animosity between the two parties goes back even before the Magic Johnson/Rob Pelinka pairing. CAA also represented Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol. When Marc became a free agent, the Lakers weren’t even considered because of how they treated Pau.
Most recently, Lonzo Ball picked Leon Rose as his representation, who works under the CAA umbrella. He was traded just two months later in the Anthony Davis blockbuster.
This doesn’t mean that Kuzma will be traded or that bad blood will now arise between Kuzma and the organization. In fact, Kuzma is someone the organization holds in high regard, as he was the lone member of the young core held out of Davis trade talks.
Kuzma wants to be a Laker. This could be the first step in the two sides mending fences and developing a better working relationship. Kuzma has two years remaining on his rookie contract and then will be a restricted free agent, so he will be with the Lakers for a few more seasons at least.
Once he is nearing free agency, this will undoubtedly be looked at again. Until then, Kuzma should focus on improving off the court and help the Lakers win games and reach their goal of winning a championship.