Los Angeles Lakers: 4 young players to keep for the future

3. Larry Nance Jr., PF

Again with the frontcourt players. The Lakers have some big decisions to make in the future. One of those decisions should include keeping Larry Nance Jr. Why is that? He’s a hustle player. He cleans up rebounds, plays solid man-to-man and team defense, and has a nice touch in the paint.

While they’re not the sexiest stats, they’re the stats that can determine if the team wins or loses. All championship-caliber teams have this kind of player. Golden State has Draymond Green, Boston has Marcus Smart, and Houston has P.J. Tucker.

While the aforementioned guys can also stretch the floor, Nance cannot, and that might be the only knock on his offense. Outside of that, he is a guy every team should want. Prior to his injury, he was averaging career highs in scoring and field goal percentage. His numbers through nine games were 10.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game — all on 61 percent shooting.

Overall, those numbers look average. However, it’s the way Nance Jr. gets his stats. For an example, take a look at his performance against the Washington Wizards on Oct. 25. His hustle and determination make him a great piece to have around.

As a whole, Nance Jr. is the kind of hustle man that wins games for his teams. Whether it’s on simple screen plays or cleaning up a loose ball, he gets the job done at all costs. Here’s a guy who doesn’t mind getting his jersey dirty.

What exactly the Los Angeles Lakers decide to do in the future is up to them. No doubt, the frontcourt has to be cleared a bit. But the likes of Ingram, Kuzma, and Nance Jr. provide a good foundation. Big men who combined can rebound, shoot, and hustle on any given night.