Los Angeles Lakers: Grading the 2017 NBA Draft class after rookie year
No. 27 overall pick: Kyle Kuzma
I don’t think this pick could have gone any better. Heck, you can probably make the case that this was arguably the most cost-effective selection of the 2017 NBA Draft. If Kyle Kuzma continues on his current trajectory, he could end up being one of the biggest steals in NBA Draft history.
Yes, he was that good as a rookie. Whether he was taking (and sinking) clutch shots, using an uncanny feel for creating offensive opportunities or simply providing the Lakers with a spark, there seemed nothing he couldn’t do on the offensive end.
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He finished his rookie year averaging 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from 3-point range.
Kuzma was deadly from the field. He also rebounded better than folks expected. Often times, he simply took over games, scoring in bunches and using every weapon in his arsenal to keep defenses guessing. The decision to call Kuzma’s name at No. 27 overall worked out better than the Lakers ever could have imagined.
Now there’s obviously room for growth. At times, Kuzma was a sieve on defense. He’s going to need significant work on that end of the court. As polished and creative of a talent as he is when it comes to scoring the basketball, he’s going to need to learn that Los Angeles needs that type of effort when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands as well.
Still, for a late first round pick, Kuzma was a sensation. Even if the rest of the Lakers’ 2017 draft class flops, the scouting staff will get major kudos for unearthing this diamond.
Grade: A+