Los Angeles Lakers: 2017-18 most intriguing lineups preview, part 1

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Offensive outlook

Maximizing space during offensive sets is key to success in the NBA, and this unit equips five players who are threats from deep. Lonzo (41.2 3-point percentage), Hart (40.4 3-point percentage) and Kuzma (32.1 3-point percentage) all showed an ability to make threes in college at an efficient rate.

Kuzma’s Utah numbers saw him shoot 32.1 percent on 2.9 3-pointers a game to a staggering yet unsustainable 48 percent on 7.1 attempts per game in the NBA Summer League. If he can find the median of the percentages, Kuzma will be a perfect stretch-4 in this league.

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Ingram was abysmal from deep during his rookie season (29.4 percent), but has a sound jump shot and should find his range as his body develops.

And we all know about the evolving game of big man Brook Lopez, who added the 3-pointer to his arsenal last season. Lopez attempted 387 3-pointers, connecting on 34.6 percent of these shots. He should see another increase in attempts and there’s no reason his percentages won’t improve after only a season of launching threes.

Having this much space in the half-court makes them dangerous. Lonzo’s up-court passing should improve the team’s fastbreak numbers and reward his players that run the floor (Kuzma can attest to this). But the extra space on offense will unlock Ingram’s iso-game at the pro level.

Hart will have lanes to attack closeouts with his useful pump fakes and Lopez will have plenty of one-on-one opportunities in the post. All five can pass, shoot the ball and make plays off the bounce when needed. This lineup is as potent of a scoring unit the Lakers will have this season.

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