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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is emerging as second-best scoring option

By Nick Ziegler

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against the Miami Heat on December 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against the Miami Heat on December 10, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 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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Many wondered who would step up as the No.2 scoring option for the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, Kyle Kuzma has answered the call.

When the Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James this offseason, it instantly gave them one of the best scorers in the NBA. While James is capable of scoring 30 points a night, there was a big question of who would be the second option scoring-wise to James.

The logical choice for James’ scoring sidekick to start the season was Brandon Ingram. After a strong sophomore season, Ingram showed glimpses of the type of player that he could be. While Ingram might have the highest ceiling of the young core, there have been some consistency issues so far, as many young players go through.

As of now, Ingram is averaging just over 15 points per game, which is certainly a fine number. However, it has been Kyle Kuzma who has really stepped up as the number two scoring option, especially of late.

So far this season, Kuzma is averaging 17.9 points per game. Even though his shooting number from behind the three-point line hasn’t been great overall this season, he is shooting 48 percent from the field, which is a really solid number.

In his last five games, Kuzma has really stepped it up with Ingram out for the past few games. During the last five games, Kuzma is averaging 25 points per game, which are elite scoring numbers. While many just believe that Kuzma is a scorer, he is also averaging 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists during that span.

Last season, Kuzma as a rookie that he was going to be a very good scorer in the NBA. So far with Lonzo Ball and James helping set him up, he is starting to look like an elite scorer. With his ability to score in multiple ways, Kuzma is a great weapon to have alongside James.

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As the Lakers begin to gel as a team, they are starting to rise in the Western Conference standings. While they aren’t on the same level as the Golden State Warriors, they might be able to exceed some expectations in James’ first season. Kuzma is clearly taking on the pressure of playing with James and using it to elevate his play. If the recent performance is any indication, Kuzma might be the second scoring option for the Lakers this season.

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