Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma doesn't see the need to seek out get-togethers with his new star teammate LeBron James or the many other loose pieces added to the roster on one-year deals, claiming “team bonding” isn't a need for him.

“Team bonding is more of a college thing, I feel like, than an NBA-type thing,” said Kuzma, according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “But everybody has one common goal of trying to win so it’s been pretty easy coming together.”

The Lakers added James on a four-year, $154 million deal and surrounded him with the likes of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley as well as bringing back Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a one-year contract.

Article Continues Below
Related News
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick reacts to his team losing the lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers’ JJ Redick link up with Les Snead at Rams campMiguel La Torre ·
image thumbnail
Sources: Lakers split on trading core playersAnthony Irwin ·
Lakers' Rob Pelinka with a Lakers logo in the middle Mavs Center Daniel Gafford on one side, Nets center Nic Claxton on the other. Question marks around them.
Sources: ‘Extremely active’ Lakers looking to add multiple bigs on trade marketAnthony Irwin ·
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) being defended by Chicago Bulls center Brad Miller (52) during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the United Center.
Former Laker Shaq, Brad Miller recreate brawl photo 23 years laterZachary Howell ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with his coach during a stoppage in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers rumors: LeBron James’ ‘likely’ $52.6 million contract decisionPreston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ agent fires shot at fans’ trade proposalsJoey Mistretta ·

Kuzma will see plenty of new faces, including players that could potentially take away some of his minutes in the rotation as president Magic Johnson has tried to put pieces in place that are complementary of James' skill set as the team's new franchise player.

James will surely try to get acquainted with the rest of this roster, as customary, but Kuzma will be likely taking a passive role on this activity as The King will be rather hands-on as the franchise player.

Team bonding might be a “college thing” to Kuzma, but it very much exists in the NBA, despite what his year of experience in the league might have misled him to believe. Players have to be used to be being around each other and playing together for 82 regular season games (last I checked, more than double a college season for most programs) and offseason activities and bonding exercises are often a way to get effectively acquainted without the forced grind of the league schedule.