Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma leans on Kobe Bryant’s wisdom during NBA trade deadline chatter

LOS ANGELES — Over the years, Kyle Kuzma has leaned on late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant for guidance during tough times, including trade speculation. 

“Kob’ used to always tell me, ‘If they’re not talking about you, then you should be worried,’” Kuzma said following the Lakers’ 129-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday at Staples Center. “And I’m the talk of the town.”

That's because the trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m., and the Lakers have entertained various proposals that would involve the 24-year-old forward, who is more likely to stay because of his versatility and upside. The Lakers also do not want to disrupt the continuity and chemistry they have strengthened following Bryant’s passing. They would like to add another ball-handling point guard.

“I like where we’re at, personally. But it’s a ‘never say never’ business,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “Obviously, if there’s ways to improve our team, then we’ll look into that. But I like where we’re at.”

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Kuzma does not seem fazed by the chatter.

“I really don’t care, honestly,” Kuzma said. “You can’t control it. I get traded, I get traded. Don’t matter. I’m still going to play basketball. Still going to play the game I love. Still going to get paid.”

Kuzma did not always have that perspective.

After the Lakers selected him with the No. 27 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Kuzma thought he would remain with the Lakers forever. Then, Kuzma saw former teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson get shipped off to Cleveland. In his second season, the Lakers made him available in trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis.

“You never really know where you’re going to be,” Kuzma said. “Obviously, the first two years were kind of tough because I was new to it. But I’m used to it now, I understand the business and that’s why I got to treat it like a business, too.”

Therefore, Kuzma said he has channeled his energy more into his play He finished with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 12 rebounds against the Spurs, marking the 13th time in the past 16 games he has cracked double figures. He also has logged double-digit rebounds for the second time in the past three contests. Vogel observed that Kuzma “had a little extra pop the last few games and it’s showed up with just a mindset to play hard.”

Kuzma lacked that consistency earlier in the season. But the Lakers mostly attribute that to Kuzma missing a combined nine games with a left ankle injury and adjusting to a new bench role. Although he said Kuzma could improve his outside shooting with better shot selection and ball movement, Vogel has always liked Kuzma’s hustle.

“He’s certainly playing with a great deal of energy and that personifies who we want to be,” Vogel said. “We want to be a team that plays harder than our opponent every night. He’s definitely done that the last few games.”

Kuzma has been “trying to play to exhaustion” partly because of Bryant’s wisdom. He insisted that had less to do with the trade deadline, though, and more to do with thinking about Bryant since his recent passing.

“It was a good time for me to really just look back and reflect on what made Kob’ so great,” Kuzma said. “Everybody talks about the ‘Mamba Mentality’ of being a vicious scorer and looking to score, but that’s not even what that is. That mentality is to be tenacious, play with heart and be relentless at all times. Obviously, it’s a little tougher to navigate the scoring, but I can play hard every possession on defense, rebound and just try to play to win.”

The Lakers have noticed. So much that Davis argued, “whatever he’s been doing the past couple games, we’re going to need that for the rest of the year.”

“Obviously my teammates believe in me and have confidence in me,” Kuzma said. “And, I guess they want me here.”

Kuzma will soon find out if the Lakers’ front office feels the same way.

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