In the two years in which Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma played together with the Los Angeles Lakers, they developed a solid friendship.
That connection has allowed for playful jabs, something that has continued even though Ingram was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason.
Ingram was dealt to the Pelicans in the massive deal that brought Anthony Davis to the Lakers.
Ingram arrived in L.A. one year earlier than Kuzma, being selected with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
In Ingram’s first season with the Lakers, he stayed healthy as a reserve player and put up modest stats. In each of the following seasons his production in a starting role improved considerably, but he failed to avoid nagging injuries.
He averaged 17.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists during those two years, numbers he now takes to New Orleans.
The 24-year-old Kuzma was drafted by the Brooklyn Nets with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and came to the Lakers in a draft night deal. In his two seasons in Los Angeles, he’s put up 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
While the two players are no longer teammates, the magic of social media will allow them to keep in close touch and also afford them the opportunity to offer up amusing takes on each other.
They’ll be able to renew acquaintances in person twice during the upcoming season. On Nov. 27, the Lakers will head to the Big Easy, with the Pelicans making their lone regular season visit to Staples Center on Jan. 3.
