In the time since the Los Angeles Lakers saw their 2017-18 season come to an end, Kyle Kuzma has appeared on ESPN’s “The Jump” and taken batting practice with Yasiel Puig before a Dodgers road game in San Diego.
This week, Kuzma was a guest on Kevin Garnett’s “Area 21,” where he reflected on his rookie season, discussed the competition between Donovan Mitchell and Ben Simmons, and discussed his close friendship with Lonzo Ball.
Kuzma also told Garnett what his favorite moment from the season was — a prolific fourth quarter to help lead the Lakers to a comeback win against the Boston Celtics. On Wednesday night, Kuzma joined the “Inside The NBA” set.
His appearance included a quiz that pitted Kuzma against former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal. The trivia was based off questions that focused on the franchise’s history, though they appeared to be slanted in Kuzma’s favor.
.@kylekuzma stopped by Studio J to take on @SHAQ in a @Lakers quiz! ????#InsideTheNBA pic.twitter.com/1X5MuDuNrv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 3, 2018
Kuzma tied for the team lead with 16.1 points per game, while also averaging 6.3 rebounds. He filled in for Brandon Ingram at small forward and showed versatility by playing the other forward position.
Improvements in his all-around game left head coach Luke Walton, among others, impressed. And though Kuzma believes he exceeded expectations, he isn’t taking the summer lightly. Where Kuzma won’t get to work on his game is at the Las Vegas Summer League.
Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson has already announced Kuzma and Ball will not participate.