Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma was nearly traded to New Orleans in February.
With the Lakers struggling to save their season, former president of basketball operations Magic Johnson engaged Pelicans management on a blockbuster deal that would have sent Kuzma and a host of other Laker youngsters to New Orleans in exchange for superstar forward Anthony Davis.
But the trade fell through, and the Lakers settled in trading for Davis this summer. They even managed to retain Kuzma in the process, much to the delight of former Utah star.
Kuzma told Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register that he feared being dealt to New Orleans would have harmed his marketability:
It was a huge step for the Lakers in creating what they hope is a contender this season, but it was just as critical for Kuzma, who has enjoyed the trappings that come with being a Laker. He believes he could have proved he was an NBA-caliber player anywhere – but it’s just easier to do business as a member of one of the league’s most famous franchises.
He doesn’t think a trade would have “killed” the rise of his brand and commercial visibility, but “it just would’ve stunted it.”
“We knew we had done everything possible, and we felt good about it,” he said. “And we said, ‘(expletive), if we turn around any day now and the Lakers turn around and we’re not a Laker no more, we know we’ve done everything possible.”
Los Angeles will need Kuzma to take big strides alongside Davis and LeBron James in his third season.
Kuzma has currently missed all of training camp with foot injury, but the Lakers hope that he can return prior to the start of the regular season next Tuesday.
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