LAS VEGAS — Kyle Kuzma left the USA Basketball practice floor, being the lone Los Angeles Lakers representative and vying for a roster spot that was never imagined when he was the No. 27 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Here, Kuzma is in strong position to make a run toward Team USA’s World Cup roster spot. With his NBA team, Kuzma has seen close friends in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart all traded for Anthony Davis. The least heralded of them all still remaining.



“You never really thought about having our young core go through a big trade,” Kuzma says. “You think about growing together, growing into stars in this league together, and forming a dynasty. I never thought about change, about being the last man standing.”



During last season, Kuzma was part of the Lakers’ trade offers to the New Orleans Pelicans. He can smile now, after L.A. sent Ball, Ingram, Hart and draft compensation for Davis, but Kuzma promises...