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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma wants to improve all-around game

By Nick Ziegler

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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After a great rookie season for the Los Angeles Lakers, Kyle Kuzma is focused on improving this offseason.

One of the biggest surprises this season for the Los Angeles Lakers was the play of rookie Kyle Kuzma. As the 27th overall pick, Kuzma was not expected to be as good as he was in his rookie year this quickly.

Generally, players taken late in the first round serve as role players for their first few years, and sometimes for their whole career. However, Kuzma proved rather quickly that he was a special talent, and that the Lakers got one of the best steals in the draft.

In his rookie season, Kuzma averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. As a 6’9” hybrid forward, Kuzma shot 45 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc. Averaging over 15 points per game is not an easy thing to accomplish for any player in the NBA, and it certainly isn’t for a rookie.

Kuzma’s ability to score so quickly in the NBA has made him one of the top young players in the league, and he certainly can be a 20-point scorer in the very near future. Despite having a great rookie season, Kuzma knows what it will take to improve this offseason. Recently, he talked with Corey Hansford of LakersNation.com about what he wants to work on this offseason. Here’s what he had to say.

"“It just tells me how to approach the summer by being a basketball player and not doing pick-and-pop drills, but also doing a lot of guard things,” Kuzma explained.“Coming off pin-downs, shooting, ball-handling pick-and-rolls, really just refine everything.”"

Seeing Kuzma already knowing what he wants to work on this offseason is certainly encouraging. With his size and speed, Kuzma can be one of those rare types of players in the NBA like his teammate Brandon Ingram. With the ability to do pretty much everything on the floor, guarding them can be nearly impossible if they continue to develop.

Next: Ultimate guide to the 2018 offseason

Since the Lakers missed the offseason, Kuzma and the rest of the Lakers will have some extra time to improve this offseason. As he heads toward his sophomore season, we might see a more polished Kuzma in the 2018-19 season.

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