Kuzma nagpatali sa Lakers; Gobert mananatili sa Jazz

MANILA, Philippines — Sa pagsisimula ng 2021 NBA season bukas, napapirma si Rudy Gobert sa Utah Jazz ng multi-year contract extrension gayundin si Kyle Kuzma sa Los Angeles Lakers.

Nilagdaan ni Gobert sa Jazz ang limang taong $205 milyong kontrata, ayon sa source ng Assocxiated Press habang pumirma naman si Kuzma ng three-year, $40 million extension, ayon sa ulat ni  Adrian Wojnarowski sa ESPN.com.

“Rudy’s competitiveness and will to win have been instrumental in watching how he has grown and evolved into an elite player in our league,” sabi ni Jazz coach Quin Snyder. “He is dedicated to his teammates and to winning here in Utah.”

 “I’m here to stay, and I’m here to win a cham-pionship,” Post ni Gobert sa Twitter. “I’m here to win with my brothers, I’m here to win with Coach Q and I’m here to win with you, Utah. Let’s get it. Merci.”

“It is especially gratifying for our Lakers franchise to draft, develop and now sign one of our own to a contract extension,” sabi naman ni Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka. “Kyle has shown tremendous growth over the last three years, and played a crucial role on last season’s championship team. Kyle has been a terrific member of the Lakers community and we are all very excited about his continued future with us.”

Nag-average si Kuzma ng 12.8 points at 4.5 rebounds sa 61 games noong nakaraang season at malaki ang parte sa 2020 championship ng Lakers sa kanyang ave-rage 10.0 points sa 21 games sa Orlando bubble.