(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kyle Kuzma got his start with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a vital part of the team for his first four seasons in the league.
But even after winning a championship, Kuzma wasn’t untouchable and the front office sent him away.
Now, Kuzma is speaking about how Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka “gave up” on him.
Speaking to Naveen Ganglani, per NBACentral, Kuzma said:
“I think it’s tough because they kind of gave up on me. They gave up on that team too a little too early. Rob [Pelinka] panicked a little bit. But you know in the NBA, things happen fast, you never know what’s going to happen next. It’s always like a revolving door so we had a tough, tough stretch so it happens.”
Kyle Kuzma believes Rob Pelinka ‘panicked’ and gave up on him too early
“I think it’s tough because they kind of gave up on me. They gave up on that team too a little too early. Rob [Pelinka] panicked a little bit. But you know in the NBA, things happen fast, you never know… pic.twitter.com/nLfPqdb99r
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 5, 2024
Kuzma joins a large chorus of Lakers fans who believes Pelinka acted drastically in the summer of 2021.
After winning a championship in 2020, the Lakers were considered the best team in the NBA.
They entered the next season as defending champions and the pressure was on.
That season was met with many difficulties and a ton of injuries.
They were eventually pushed out of the playoffs in the opening round after Anthony Davis was hurt and sidelined.
That summer, Pelinka shipped a boatload to the Washington Wizards to acquire Russell Westbrook, a move that is now seen as a huge mistake.
Kuzma went to Washington and has averaged 20.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game since becoming a member of the Wizards.
He feels that he could have done more for the Lakers if Pelinka didn’t shake things up.
He understands why it happened but wishes Pelinka would have given him and the rest of the team more time, especially after winning a championship.
The post Kyle Kuzma Believes Rob Pelinka Gave Up On Him Too Early appeared first on The Cold Wire.