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Los Angeles Lakers: Was 2017 the best rookie class ever

By Cameron Salce

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #5 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball #2, Josh Hart #5 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a photo during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG training center on August 11, 2017 in Tarrytown, New York. 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 Brian Babineau/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images /

Kyle Kuzma rose to stardom

When D’Angelo Russell was traded last offseason to unload Timofey Mozgov‘s contract, many Laker fans were upset. However, the real prize of that trade was the 27th overall pick that they used to select Kyle Kuzma, an underrated forward out of Utah.

Watching NBA Summer League and the preseason, it was obvious that he looked like a draft steal for the Lakers. Yet, there were plenty of doubters claiming that once the real games started he would not have the same success.

They could not have been more wrong. There were stretches during the season where Kuzma carried the Lakers offensively and looked like their best player on the court.

He even tied Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle for leading scorer on the team this season with them all strangely sharing the same average of 16.1 points per game. He was also the second-leading scorer among rookies behind Donovan Mitchell, who had much more reign over his team’s offense.

The most impressive thing about his rookie season was that he became the first rookie in NBA history to get at least 1,200 points, 450 rebounds, and 150 3-pointers in a season. Kobe in his prime is the only other Laker to reach those stats in a single season.

Those were good enough numbers to earn him a spot on the All-Rookie first team in a class loaded with talent. He ended up receiving 93 first team votes, falling only seven short of being a unanimous selection.

Kuzma showed that he has the potential to be an All-Star and a leader for the Lakers moving forward. His surprising play is easily the biggest reason why this class stood out last season.

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