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With the Los Angeles Lakers slated to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, all eyes will be on Anthony Davis and his first return to his old stomping grounds since forcing his way off the team last summer.
However, another narrative that seems to have been so easily overlooked is the fact that this will also be the first time Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart — all former Lakers who were sent to the new Orleans as part of the Davis trade — will be able to face off against their former side.
Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma spoke about one of his former teammates in Ingram, saying he’s not surprised by how things have transpired:
“I kind of knew this would happen. He may have felt constrained here, not necessarily comfortable in his role here,” Kuzma says, via Mirin Fader of Bleacher Report. “But going to a team like New Orleans is allowing him to be their go-to guy, their No. 1 option.”
Kuzma also lauded Ingram’s work ethic and professionalism:
“B.I. is all about basketball. It’s his passion. He works hard,” Kuzma says. “He’s always going to be prepared for every opportunity because of all the work he puts in. As long as he does that, he’s got the keys to New Orleans.”
You can tell in the way Kuzma speaks of his former teammate that he has so much respect for Ingram. Surely, this is brought about by the personal bond they formed during their time together in Hollywood.
Nonetheless, it will be all business on Wednesday night, with both teams eager to emerge victorious in what should be an emotionally charged contest.