Kyle Kuzma signed a five-year, $15 million deal with Puma one year ago. As part of the agreement, the 25-year-old was promised that he would be able to participate in the design of his next shoe.
Surely enough, this week, Kuzma revealed the All-Pro Kuzma Mid – a shoe he co-designed. Reactions were somewhat mixed.
Wtf is this Kyle? Why can’t you do anything right? pic.twitter.com/PiZTsoEDu2
— Get right Son (@Krispy_Potatoe) November 9, 2020
— shad (@RFraiz_17) November 9, 2020
— ً (@CLIPFLEXIN) November 9, 2020
This is gonna be fun. https://t.co/0FojKZcCSx
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 9, 2020
No lol. Looks like you boutta go 9 rounds in your amateur boxing debut.
— Angelo (@angel0bugatti) November 9, 2020
All love for you bruh but looks like you about to be wearing a wrestling shoe on the basketball court!
— Tyler Workman (@Twork94) November 9, 2020
Kuz pls tell me you’re playing 😭 pic.twitter.com/2hfz7Dqhz5
— inmarcitoes©️ (@_inmar) November 9, 2020
Big year for Paul George. https://t.co/REbRZuUAOC
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 7, 2020
Based on the feedback, it will be interesting to see if Kuzma and Puma ultimately stick with this design or opt to go in a different direction.
Shoe situation notwithstanding, Kuzma also figures to be in for an interesting offseason as far as trade speculation goes. Thus far, he has been linked to potential trades with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.
Between the Lakers needing to add depth due to all the hits they will inevitably take in free agency, and Kuzma’s dwindling production alongside Anthony Davis, a deal of some sort feels more likely than not.
A peace offering from Kawhi to Snoop. https://t.co/SzdYcXdUBi
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 7, 2020
Kuzma’s numbers dropped dramatically this past year. He went from putting up 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 45.6 percent shooting from the field and 30.3 percent beyond the arc, to 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 43.6 percent shooting from the field and 31.6 percent from three.
In the playoffs, Kuzma’s totals dipped even further. He averaged 10 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game on 43.0 percent shooting from the field and 31.3 percent from three.
One way or another, this figures to be a big year for Kuzma. Between his new Puma deal and potentially getting traded, the former Utah standout will experience a lot of trials and tribulations. How will he respond? Time will tell.
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