Lakers: The effort to understand the toxicity surrounding Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma is not going anywhere. He never was. Rob Pelinka drafted him and Kobe Bryant believed in him.

Will this article stop the Kyle Kuzma trade rumors? No. But this writer has written articles for over a year on record saying he was staying put. Sure the salary was a major issue that made it easy, but let’s look at some people that were in Kuz’s corner.

Rob Pelinka:

Pelinka drafted him. For the most part, outside of making a few questionable quotes to the media like this doozy.

The steady improvement has been there. The Lakers love his work ethic and believe they will see strides now that he can look at his phone without seeing potential rumors every hour on the hour. Plus with the consistent support of the other young players such as Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker, Pelinka is loyal to who the scouts bring to his attention.

Kobe Bryant:

Yes, like Jayson Tatum, Kyle Kuzma was mentored by the “Icon”. Bryant had an interview on Real 92.3 LA’s “The Cruz Show,” and discussed why the Lakers had a tough time letting Kyle go in the Anthony Davis trade.

"“Probably his versatility. I think the game used to be about having specialists on the floor and think it’s gotten away from that to having guys that can play all facets of the game. That includes offensively and defensively, and defensively he has the potential to be a great defensive player, so I think that’s one things they looked at as well as his shooting ability and just his size. I think you put all that in the pot and it made him indispensable for this summer.”"

Jeanie Buss:

Always liked Kyle Kuzma. She’s the boss. Next.

The contract will be polarizing because Kyle Kuzma is polarizing not just on this site, but for some Lakers fans in general. There is just a faction of Lakers Nation that believes “cyber bullying” on the internet will get players to play better. Let’s be honest, most are jealous. He’s a young kid in Los Angeles living the dream of playing with the Lakers. Popularity breeds content.

Congratulations to Kyle Kuzma on getting the bag. Make sure you pay for that dinner with LeBron, and congrats to Rob Pelinka for showing that this franchise continues to play chess while every other team is playing checkers.

For the rest of the Kyle Kuzma haters. Kuz has something to say!