Former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball shared a moment together following the Lakers' 123-113 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night:
Kuz and Lonzo showing love postgame š¤ pic.twitter.com/5QXPQpsOu6
ā SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 4, 2020
Ball and Kuzma were each part of the 2017 Laker draft class. Ball was selected with the No. 2 overall pick, while Kuzma became one of the steals of the draft when he was taken with the 27th pick.
After two seasons in L.A., Ballāalong with Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart, who also made their returns to the Staples Centerāwas traded to the Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis.
There had been rumors of a rift between the two friends. Although Kuzma denied as much postgame (from Jacob Rude/USA TODAY Sports via Harrison Faigen/Silver Screen & Roll):
āThey came ready to play. Like you said, Iām still friends with those guys. Itās good to see them doing well and playing to the ability we all know they can play.
āI thought (the video tribute) was cool. Obviously, the fans really embraced the young core while we had it. I know those guys enjoyed being here. It was cool to seeā¦them to be on their feet and play well and play the well theyāre playing.ā
Ball and Kuzma are experiencing frustrating seasons, albeit in different fashions. Lonzo has dealt with injury and inconsistency ā he scored 23 points on Friday night ā for a struggling Pelicans team. Meanwhile, Kuzma has been relegated to a bench role as the Lakers have thrived behind the superstar duo of Davis and LeBron James.
In any case, the old friends had the chance to clown each other once again on Friday night.
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