Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma has agreed to a three-year, $40 million extension, including a player option prior to the 2023-24 season, sources tell ESPN.
Kuzma, 25, finalized talks on his rookie extension on Sunday, sources said.
In a rare non-max contract rookie extension that includes a player option, the deal allows for Kuzma to become an unrestricted free agent in his prime at 28 years old. That’s a benefit should Kuzma outperform his extension, which starts with the 2021-22 season.
He is competing for a starting job on the Lakers, who will begin defense of their NBA title on Tuesday night against the LA Clippers at Staples Center.
In his first three NBA seasons with the Lakers, Kuzma has started 114 games and averaged 16.0 points. Kuzma was the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
The deadline for signing rookie contract extensions for the draft class of 2017 is Monday night, the eve of the start to the regular season.
