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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Players who have to step up without Josh Hart

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Josh Hart #5, Brook Lopez #11 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddle up during an all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Josh Hart #5, Brook Lopez #11 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddle up during an all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers: Alex Caruso keeps producing
Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images /

No. 3: Alex Caruso

Hart had worked his way into the rotation, becoming a regular. His minutes will not be replaced by one person, as a group of players will likely shoulder the load. However, given that he was a starter, someone will need to step into the rotation for him. That player should be Alex Caruso.

Caruso earned a two-way deal with the Lakers based on his play in the offseason. He was excellent in the Las Vegas Summer League, earning his contract based on that performance. Now, he has a chance to show that those performances weren’t a fluke.

Being a two-way player isn’t easy. You can only spend 45 days with the NBA team, so there is a lot of shuttling back and forth between the NBA and G League. With Hart sidelined, Caruso should be sticking with the NBA team for a little while.

Caruso won’t be relied upon in the same capacity as Hart but will be counted on to bring some energy whenever he is called upon. Hart is the ultimate hustle player, and the Lakers would love to see the same from Caruso.

Caruso should receive the first shot at replacing Hart in the lineup. If he slips up, Luke Walton could turn back to Tyler Ennis. At this point, you know what you are going to get from Ennis. Inserting Caruso into the lineup to see how he responds is the better option at this point given the Lakers current standing.

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