Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is working on improving his outside game

By Nick Ziegler

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 5: New Orleans Pelicans Rajon Rondo shoots free throws after practice as his team prepares for Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semi-finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 5, 2018 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 5: New Orleans Pelicans Rajon Rondo shoots free throws after practice as his team prepares for Game Four of the NBA Western Conference Semi-finals against the Golden State Warriors on May 5, 2018 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit

After a great rookie season, Los Angeles Lakers forward, Kyle Kuzma, is working on his outside game to get even better.

One of the biggest bright spots for the Los Angeles Lakers last season was rookie, Kyle Kuzma. The Lakers were able to draft Kuzma with the 27th overall pick that they acquired in the trade that sent D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets.

While Russell might become a great player one day, the addition of Kuzma certainly helped Lakers fans feel better about the trade. Even though he wasn’t a top prospect coming out of college, Kuzma was able to have a positive impact on the Lakers right away.

In his rookie season, Kuzma averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The 16.1 points Kuzma averaged per game tied him for first on the Lakers with Brandon Ingram. Even though he had a great rookie season, Kuzma has been working hard this offense to really round out his game.

Recently, Kuzma spoke with Mike Trudell about what he’s working on this offseason. Here’s what he had to say.

"“We’ve worked on a lot of perimeter skills and playing at the three. Last year I played the three and the four, and I’ll probably play (both) this year, but just to develop my game as a perimeter guy. Reading passes. My handling. Just working out as a guard really helps your overall game.”"

As a combo forward, Kuzma can hurt opposing defenders in multiple ways. When he is playing the power forward position, he generally brings his defender out toward the three-point line. With improved handles, Kuzma might be looking to take bigger defenders off the dribble more next season.

Next. 4 Players who can breakout in 2018-19 season. dark

Kuzma working on his guard skills could be one of the final pieces for him to become a complete NBA player. As we saw last season, he is a very polished scorer for someone of his age. As one of the top rookies from last season in the NBA, it is great to see Kuzma putting in the work to improve an area of his game that he feels should be better. With improved handles for next season, guarding Kuzma is going to be no easy task for defenders.

Home/Lakers News