Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is the key to success

Kyle Kuzma must improve defensively for the Los Angeles Lakers to be successful next season.

Now that the team is taking shape, Los Angeles Lakers coach, Frank Vogel, must figure out who to start, bring off the bench, and leave out of the rotation.

Over the past two seasons, Kyle Kuzma has averaged 17.3 points, on 45.3% shooting, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Scoring has never been an issue with Kuzma. However, he needs to work on becoming a well-rounded player. He needs to become a better playmaker, and definitely a better defender.

Since the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis and signed DeMarcus Cousins, when Kuzma is in the game with those two, he will likely play small forward. Offensively, I have no doubt that Kuzma will score. Defensively, he must improve in every aspect. If Kuzma improves defensively, the Lakers will be in the NBA Finals.

DeMarcus Cousins is the X-Factor, but Kuzma is a close second. When LeBron and Davis are on the court at the same time, they will likely be double teamed and forced to pass the ball. That’s where Kuzma comes into play. If he improves his open three-point shot, because he will get many of those this season, and improves his defense, Kuzma will be an essential piece to any Lakers championship run.

Last season, whoever Kuzma was guarding, that’s who had the ball most times. That can’t happen next season. It will help if Kuzma comes off the bench as a sixth man and lead the bench in a Lou Williams type role.

If the offense runs through Kuzma off the bench, he could average 20 points per game. The Lakers bench will hold their ground, and that will make it easier for the Lakers starters to close games out.

Now, no one really knows who’s going to be starting or coming off the bench, but LeBron James and Anthony Davis will definitely start, and possibly Danny Green as well. Two of these five: Rondo, Kuzma, Bradley, Cousins, McGee, will start. The remaining three will likely come off the bench.

I think the Lakers should start LeBron, Bradley, Green, Davis, and Cousins. This way you have a playmaker off the bench in Rondo, and possibly a backcourt of Rondo-Caruso, which will make it easier for Kuzma to score.

I do think that the Lakers should have Kuzma in during crunch time along with LeBron, Davis, Green, and Cousins. However, for that to happen, Kuzma must improve defensively. If the Lakers remain healthy, Kuzma improves defensively and averages close to or 20 points per game, they will be in the NBA Finals come late May.