2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 6 power rankings

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2. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers

Last week: No. 2 (↔)

Los Angeles Lakers big man Kyle Kuzma remains steady at No. 2 in this week’s Rookie of the Year ladder. Kuzma has become a staple in the Lakers’ starting rotation since being inserted there on Nov. 3. Since then, he’s averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game through 11 starts.

Los Angeles isn’t in terrible shape with an 8-11 record but a shakeup in the rotation could be on the way given the current outcome. With Kuzma emerging as the better rookie right now, it may be worth it to explore bringing Lonzo Ball in off the bench.

Ball can still co-exist on the floor with Kuzma but a guy like Jordan Clarkson brings more to the starting rotation with Kuzma on the perimeter. Kuzma is shooting 49.8 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from 3-point range, a much higher percentage than Ball (25.0 percent). Giving Kuzma the keys to the offense could be worth it in the long run. After all, it’s shown that Ball needs time to work on his jump shot.