LOS ANGELES — Having seen teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis agree to new contracts in back-to-back days, Kyle Kuzma said his representatives have been in contract with the Lakers regarding his own contract status.
Kuzma, who is making $3.5 million this season, is eligible for a contract extension with the Lakers. It'll be up to Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, to decide what's the best course to take with Kuzma.
"Yeah, we've talked, so it's obviously just talk between my agent and the organization," Kuzma told reporters during a videoconference Thursday after a workout at the team's practice facility. "They're working through things. So, we'll see."
The Lakers can make Kuzma a qualifying offer, which would be worth about $5.2 million for next season. If the Lakers take that route — which would make Kuzma a restricted free agent next summer — they keep their rights to match any offer Kuzma would receive from another team.
Kuzma averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season, his third in the NBA. He shot 43.6% from the field and 31.6% from 3-point range. He averaged 10 points and 3.1 rebounds in the postseason, and shot 43% from the field, 31.3% from 3-point range.
Kuzma's superstar teammates, James and Davis, signed deals that will keep them in Los Angeles through the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons, respectively.
James signed a two-year extension worth $85 million Thursday as Davis was finalizing a five-year contract for $190 million.
"It's a very good time for those guys, so deserving, obviously bringing it home, championship No. 17," Kuzma said. "Those guys deserve it and they're hell of players obviously. Don't need to keep repeating that. But I'm very happy for those guys."
