Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma has signed a five-year agreement with Puma, becoming the face of the sneaker and sports clothing company, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The deal is worth about $15 million over those five years, per Marc Stein of The New York Times.
The third-year wing came into Lakers Media Day wearing Puma sneakers, which hinted at this deal going down relatively soon. Kuzma was a Nike athlete during his first two seasons in the league, getting only a short contract from the sneaker giant after being drafted with the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Yet Kuzma has been a revelation, averaging 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in his most recent season with the Lakers, quickly becoming one of the most recognizable faces in L.A. The 24-year-old will become the third player on the Lakers to don Puma shoes on the court, along with new teammates Danny Green and DeMarcus Cousins, who is likely out for the year with a torn ACL.
Puma has been aggressive pursuing sneaker free agents, getting their claws on former No. 1 draft pick Deandre Ayton and former No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III, as well as other notable names like Terry Rozier, Rudy Gay, Kevin Knox, and Michael Porter Jr., among others.
Kuzma is perhaps the most high-profile athlete of the list, and his exposure in The City of Angels could do wonders for a brand that hasn't been associated with basketball since the late '90s, when Vince Carter donned them upon entering the league in 1998. Kuzma's notoriety and prowess could help elevate Puma's brand and help it wrestle against the many others vying for the attention of sneaker free agents and consumers.
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