The Los Angeles Lakers made a decision in 2019 that has forever altered the trajectory of the organization. It traded former first-round draft picks Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, as well as three future first-round selections, to the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis.
One of the primary talking points to emerge from that blockbuster trade was the Lakers' decision to keep Kyle Kuzma out of the negotiations.
The decision has been debated in recent seasons, as Kuzma was traded to the Washington Wizards for Russell Westbrook just two years later. He's since become one of the more productive forwards in the NBA, however, and has credited much of his success to what he learned in Los Angeles.
In an interview with Nicole Ganglani of Silver Screen and Roll, Kuzma spoke about what he gained from playing with Davis and James on the Lakers.
I asked @kylekuzma today what are some of the best things he learned from LeBron James and Anthony Davis during his Lakers tenure.
— Nicole Ganglani (@nicoleganglani) August 26, 2024
Kuzma: “I think that was one of the most important times of my life.” pic.twitter.com/od14d3jCZN
For those who can't watch the video, Kuzma said the following:
"Everything. How to be a pro. How to motivate people. How to work. How to be a business man. So many things. That was one of the most important times in my life. Taking a backseat and really watching and learning. I think everything I've done then, I'm doing now and trying to pay it forward and give it to people."
Kuzma may not be playing for the Lakers entering the 2024-25 season, but his comments reflect how Davis and James may be continuing to help players grow.
Kyle Kuzma calls Lakers tenure one of the most important times in his life
Kuzma played four seasons in Los Angeles, earning All-Rookie First Team honors in 2017-18. He would then help the team win the championship in 2019-20, with 10 games of double-digit scoring during the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
That includes the 18 points that Kuzma scored during a crucial Game 4 win over the Portland Trail Blazers and the 17 he tallied to help Los Angeles close out the Houston Rockets.
Kuzma was traded just one year later, but his contributions to a championship team shouldn't be undervalued. That experience has likely helped him navigate the challenging terrain that comes with playing for one of the worst teams in the NBA in Washington.
Despite the team's shortcomings, Kuzma set career-best marks in several statistical categories in a strong individual 2023-24 season.
Kuzma finished the 2023-24 campaign with averages of 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.2 three-point field goals made. He set career-best marks in points and assists per game, and increased his field goal percentage from 44.8 to 46.3 percent.
Kuzma also produced 11 30-point games and 28 different outings in which he scored at least 25 points.
As the Wizards begin their rebuild with Kuzma seemingly at the center of it, the knowledge he gained from Davis and James will likely come into play. He's now trusted with the challenging role of guiding young players through their early seasons in the NBA.
Fresh off of what may have been the best individual season of his NBA career, Kuzma will look to take what he learned with the Lakers and apply it to his experience with the Wizards.