8 Things to Know About Kyle Kuzma's PUMA Deal

Image via Complex Original

Part of PUMA's pitch to Kuz included flying out the young Lakers star on a private jet from Team USA practice in Las Vegas to Boston for its formal presentation. 

"I don't think any companies have that," Kuzma told ESPN. 

As a rookie, Kuzma signed an endorsement deal with Nike worth $25,000 per year. While the relationship seemed to be picking up some steam last season with the third-year player helping the brand debut the Adapt BB on the hardwood, the two parties were unable to come to an agreement on a new deal. 

His PUMA deal is a significant increase from his previous endorsement contract. It is reportedly a five-year deal worth $20 million. 

One of the major storylines when PUMA announced it would be reviving its basketball division last season was that JAY-Z would be taking on the role of creative director. Kuzma commented on the role Hov played in the process. 

"Jay isn't super involved, but I have a relationship with him and his team. Having conversations with them and seeing what type of vision they have for what PUMA can do in the next couple years, they saw me as a perfect fit for that vision. It’s been love ever since," he tells Complex. "At the end of the day, he is a billionaire and it seems like everything he does hits. But I have to make the best decision for me, whether its him or someone else with the brand. I thought PUMA was the best fit for me. They saw that too, and took a chance on me."

In October 2018, Kuzma signed a first-of-its-kind deal with the GOAT app. The popular reselling platform would lace up Kuz in the tunnel and on the court in rare and limited sneakers. Kuzma confirmed that this partnership would continue this season.

"I’m just trying to carve out a different lane. Obviously, GOAT is known for reselling sneakers, but we have a couple projects we are working on to take that to the next level," says Kuzma. "I'm just just trying to make those innovations and continue the process."

Sharing a locker room with an athlete as big as LeBron James certainly has its perks. Not only do the two teammates show love to each other's personal style, but Kuzma says he admires the creativity that the lifetime Nike athlete brings to his signature line. 

"Bron and I know of each other’s fashion sense. It’s never a competition. It’s all love. Whenever I'm wearing something cool he’ll be like, 'Damn Kuz. That’s dope.' I do the same thing," Kuzma tells Complex. "At the end of the day, he only wears his own shoe, which is cool. He has so many variations. He always has something different. The 'Superbron' was crazy. The kid's version of the [LeBron] 16 with the lion on it was cool too. He always comes up with creative ways to make something unbelievable."

Kuzma will be wearing PUMA's brand new Clyde Hardwood model on court this year in a wide array of colorways. One of the color schemes he wants to lace up is a pair inspired by late rapper and Lakers fan Nipsey Hussle. 

"Ever since that moment, trying to carry on that marathon and that type of symbolism, it kind of meant a lot to me," Kuzma told ESPN. "I wanted to go to PUMA, not only for everything that I've got going on, but to do some things within this community like Nip did."

One of the things the 24-year old said he would miss most about his Nike deal is getting to wear his idol Kobe Bryant's signature sneakers.

"It was tough from the simple fact of how much I love Kobe. Everyone knows that I wear Kobe's shoes," Kuzma told ESPN. "It was tough, but at the end of the day, I have dreams and goals and I imagine myself being at that type of level in this business."

One of the hottest sneaker free agents this offseason was New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward Zion Williamson. Rumors swirled over the summer that the young talent was extremely close to signing on with PUMA Hoops. Ultimately, he ended up choosing Jordan Brand, but Kuzma says that he is happy for the highly-touted 19-year old. 

"I never really had communication with PUMA regarding Zion. He made the best decision for him by signing with Jordan, and is staring that way. Im happy for him."