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Los Angeles Lakers: 2017 Draft grades

By Jeffrey Bellone

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Lonzo Ball (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Lonzo Ball (UCLA) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Jan 26, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes forward Kyle Kuzma (35) warms up prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks at Jon M. Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 27 — Kyle Kuzma

As part of the return on the Timofey Mozgov/D’Angelo Russell trade, the Lakers used the 27th overall pick to select fleet-footed forward Kyle Kuzma.

Standing 6’9″ with a wingspan over seven feet, Kuzma possesses a modern skill-set that should suit him well in the NBA. He is big and he is quick; he can shoot threes; and he is comfortable handling the basketball.

Thinking of Kuzma and Thomas Bryant (the 42nd pick) together, the two forwards sort of offset each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Both are tall and long, but while Kuzma lacks the post game of Bryant, he makes up for it in speed and perimeter play. The common denominator being that both big men can shoot, Kuzma more than Bryant.

After trading Lou Williams and D’Angelo Russell, and having Nick Young decline his player option, the Lakers are in desperate need of perimeter shooting. Kuzma increased his knack for three-point shooting in each of his three seasons at Utah. He can be a streaky shooter, but his shooting during the NBA Draft Combine really caught the attention of scouts.

The Lakers are following Luke Walton‘s vision of having players who can move the ball and shoot from the perimeter, regardless of position.

Draft Grade: B

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