Lakers' Kyle Kuzma Takes Shot At Head Coach Frank Vogel

The Los Angeles Lakers had a forgettable run this season after losing in the first round of the playoffs. Injuries played part in their bad campaign so as the player rotations.

Kyle Kuzma was once a promising Lakers' young talent but things has change the past two seasons for him. Since the arrival of Anthony Davis in the purple and gold uniform, Kuzma's minutes went decreased as well as his production.

Kuzma averaged 12.8 and 12.9 points in 2019-20 and 2020-21 NBA season, respectively. Before the arrival of Davis, the Lakers forward averaged a career-high 18,7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. That looks promising for a 23 year-old player back then.

In an interview with Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report, Kuzma made a statement about his role with the team that seems to be a shot at Lakers' head coach Frank Vogel. Over the past two years, Kuzma mostly came off the bench but sometimes he will start the game with LeBron and Davis.


"My biggest thing is I just want to play within a consistent role," Kuzma said. "If I have that ability, I'll be able to showcase what I can really do. There were parts of this year—and even anywhere else in my career—when I'm in a consistent space, I'm out there handling the ball, making teammates better, scoring, shooting, defending, rebounding. I think if I'm in that space, I'll be good."

With the addition of big men like Gasol, Harrell and Drummond, Kuzma's role with the Lakers has decreased. Vogel will mostly opt to play James-Davis-Gasol or James-Davis-Drummond in their front court.

Over the past few months, Lakers' players started complaining about their roles with the teams. Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol has been vocal of it during the season and recently, Drummond also took a shot on Vogel. The 6'11 center responded to a fan on Instagram wishing that he played like Brook Lopez and Deandre Ayton.


ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Lakers would initiate contract extension discussions with Vogel in the offseason last April but Vogel has yet to sign a contract extension with the Lakers. His contract will expire at the end of 2021-2022 season. Do you think the Lakers should re-sign him?