Los Angeles Lakers: 3 things fans can be thankful for this Thanksgiving
By Jason Elbaum
3. The Lakers got an absolute steal in Kyle Kuzma with the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft
If you’re a Lakers fan, I’m sure you have already read articles where writers gush over Kyle Kuzma’s smooth jump shot, explosive drives to the basket, and ability to sky over opponents to grab rebounds. Well, this article isn’t going to be much different.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
- A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
- Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup
Kuzma leaped over former top-10 pick Julius Randle on the Lakers’ depth chart and has emerged as the team’s leading scorer after dropping a career-high 30 points against Phoenix on Friday. He is second among rookies in scoring, and eight of the other nine other players in the top 10 were drafted before Kuzma.
What’s most impressive about Kuzma’s great start is how efficient he has been with his shooting. He is shooting 50.7 percent from the field which is third among rookies, and he is taking 12.8 shots per game. He is also shooting a solid 78.7 percent from the free throw line, a facet of the game where the Lakers have struggled as a team.
Many Lakers fans questioned the franchise’s direction when it dealt former second overall pick D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft. These fans have had their questions answered by the Lakers decision to draft Kuzma, as the 22-year-old out of Utah looks like a staple in the rotation for years to come.