As the Lakers and Pelicans continue to discuss trade packages centered around Anthony Davis, one young Laker is approaching the matter with a positive outlook: Second-year forward Kyle Kuzma.
“It’s always a good thing when you hear trade rumors,” Kuzma said, according to Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times. “That’s what everybody always says. It means you have value, and it means potentially you gonna be in this league a long time, people want you. For us, it’s all about controlling what you can control, because at the end of the day, it’s a business. You can’t control your destiny in this league, but you can control your work ethic and how great you wanna be. You can be great anywhere.”
Entering Thursday, Pelicans GM Dell Demps refused to pick up his phone to discuss a trade with the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe. This rapidly changed as the day progressed, with Wojnarowski later reporting that the sides connected on a call early in the afternoon.
Davis requested a trade from the Pelicans last Friday after several years of failed seasons with the organization. Davis, 25, is the most talented two-way player available on the trade market as of today, meaning the Lakers would have to offer an assortment of young assets that likely includes Kuzma to pry him out of New Orleans.
“Could really care less, honestly,” Kuzma said of Davis’ trade request. “Just control what you can control. Play basketball anywhere.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The NBA has issued a warning to Clippers guard Patrick Beverley for violating the league’s anti-flopping rule, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times writes. Beverley was caught flopping on a play against the Kings on Sunday, later tweeting in response, “Ok ok ok ok you got me I flopped!!!! Can’t touch anybody this year gotta do something!!!”
- Suns guard Emanuel Terry said he had to overcome several doubters to reach his 10-day contract with the team, writes Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “A lot of people, there’s haters in the world,” Terry said. “You can’t hate on somebody’s blessing cause then that’s your downfall as well. So I just remained humble, say a prayer and give my trust to God.”
- Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com ranks the trade value of several players on the Lakers, including Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and others. It’s unclear which players the Pelicans would target in potential trade discussions involving Anthony Davis.
Only Rich Paul can control your destiny lol
next offseason: butler to the lakers, davis to boston, kwahi to clippers,kimba to ny, durant in warriors, melo to china.
Melo to China got me dead
You got one of those right.
They really need to make college mandatory for these NBA fools. “Could care less” is an idiotic thing to say.
Yet people use this phrase all of the time. Whine about something else.
One of my biggest pet peeves. To be fair, even college graduates say that. Can’t stand it.
“Could care less” is an accepted phrase in the dictionary with sarcastic roots. Just because you can’t handle it doesn’t mean that people that use it are less intelligent than you.
Maybe you should go to college if you don’t understand English
Dictionaries are accepting anything these days. Trying to keep up with Urban Dictionary!
“Couldn’t care less” is what you’re supposed to say…also when people say “for all intensive purposes” I want to punch them in the face.