Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is an intriguing prospect

By Quentin Haynes

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the championship game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the championship game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 110-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Even though he won’t start for the Los Angeles Lakers, rookie Kyle Kuzma is an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s about the long game. The 2020-21 season matters more than the 2017-18 season in terms of where you want the team to be, but this upcoming season provides a chance to take a step forward and another season to see which players will be factors on the next great Lakers team.

While this season’s narratives will be surrounding Lonzo Ball’s rookie season, development from guys like Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram and Luke Walton’s performance in his second season as head coach, one player that intrigues is rookie forward Kyle Kuzma.

The selection of Kuzma felt odd at the time, largely because of the players that remained on the board. Despite improving each season during his three-year stint at Utah, Kuzma never profiled as a first round pick. He never had intriguing numbers, he didn’t show a 3-point shot and didn’t sport most of the tools to suggest defensive upside and versatility.

Still, Los Angeles liked what it saw enough to make him one of its three first round picks.

Kuzma rewarded Los Angeles with an intriguing performance during NBA Summer League, averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 blocks per game on 51 percent shooting. He also touted an improved long range shot, knocking down 48 percent of his threes. The up-and-down pace of Summer League allowed Kuzma to show his skills.

In truth, Kuzma is an intriguing defensive player. Kuzma’s wingspan of 7’0″ gives him the ability to bother opponents on the perimeter. Despite 20 career steals and 18 career blocks at Utah, Kuzma’s defensive ratings were always below 100.0 in college and he sported an impressive 23.6 defensive rebounding rate.

There are traits of a good defender in there, even though he doesn’t profile as one to make splashy plays.

Despite his poor shooting numbers, Kuzma always looked to be a fluid shooter. The jumper looking straight is a good thing, but the results weren’t great. Kuzma shot 60 percent from the free throw line for his Utah career, which suggests he isn’t an ideal shooter. Still, there’s hope for him to become a better shooter, mostly because it’s never been in his arsenal. Kuzma took just 86 career threes.

Live Feed

Golden State Warriors' pacific rival makes huge free agent signing
Golden State Warriors' pacific rival makes huge free agent signing /

Blue Man Hoop

  • Lakers sign Christian Wood after long stare down for 14th roster spotLake Show Life
  • When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Lakers fans need to knowLake Show Life
  • Grade the trade: Lakers bring back Alex Caruso is new proposalLake Show Life
  • Lakers' Austin Reaves completes Alex Caruso arc with eerily similar highlight dunkLake Show Life
  • NBA rumors: Trae Young trade buzz, Andre Drummond is a comedian, Wemby and KAT team upFanSided

    • You also have to consider Kuzma as a great finisher at the rim. In his junior season at Utah, he took 49 percent of his shots at the rim and made 67 percent of them, according to Hoop-math.com. That works as a cutter and roll man, which he should see in spurts for Los Angeles.

    The Los Angeles Lakers have several big men, however, with Brook Lopez, Larry Nance Jr. Julius Randle and Ivica Zubac, not to mention Luol Deng and Brandon Ingram, both of which should see minutes at power forward. Los Angeles’ crowded frontcourt could result in Kuzma taking some time with Los Angeles’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

    That could allow him to open up his game and show his improvements as a perimeter defender and floor-spacer.

    The Los Angeles Lakers are going to expect the world from their rookie class, largely from the second overall pick Lonzo Ball. The hope is that Ball can come in right away and either become a star or show glimmers of superstardom to help rev up Los Angeles’ rebuild and allow them to turn their attention to enticing fellow stars in free agency.

    However, there are some other rookies that could intrigue and Kyle Kuzma is one of them. While he doesn’t possess one standout tool, Kuzma has good defensive stats and measurables, his ability to finish at the rim could work as an off-ball offensive player and he’s a good rebounder for his size. If Kuzma can become merely a 33 or 34 percent 3-point shooter with consistency, he has some starter potential.

    Next: The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated, 2016-17)

    If the Lakers could properly develop Kuzma and help his skills move along, he could be an intriguing player who could get a ton of playing time in the second half of the season.

    Home/Los Angeles Lakers