Los Angeles Lakers attacker Kyle Kuzma has agreed to a multi-year extension, the team announced on Sunday.
Sources told ESPN the contract is worth $ 40 million over three years and includes a player option ahead of the 2023-24 season. Kuzma, 25, concluded talks about his extension on Sunday, sources said.
In a rare non-max rookie extension that includes a player option, the deal allows Kuzma to become an unlimited free agent in his prime at the age of 28. That is an advantage should Kuzma outperform his extension, which starts with the 2021-22 season.
He will compete for a runway with the Lakers, who begin their NBA title defense against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on Tuesday night.
In his first three NBA seasons with the Lakers, Kuzma started 114 games and averaged 16.0 points. He was the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
“I mean, it’s good for him,” said teammate Anthony Davis on Sunday. “You don’t have contract anxiety all year. Now that it’s out of the way, you can start playing, which he did anyway. He had a great preseason. He played great for us in the bubble and all last year. He’s locked up He made a big jump at both ends of the floor.
“So it’s good for him. We’re excited to have him here. I know he’s excited to be here. And he’s a champion. You deserve it. I’m glad the Lakers were able to do something with him. able to just let him play and not worry about contracts for the rest of the season. “
The deadline for signing rookie contract extensions for the 2017 draft class is Monday evening, the eve of the start of the regular season.
This report uses information from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.