Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis, Frank Vogel impressed by Kyle Kuzma
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel and newest superstar Anthony Davis both recently spoke highly of Kyle Kuzma.
For five out of the last six years, the Los Angeles Lakers have drafted in the lottery. All five of those picks were in the top-seven and have been solid players.
First, it was Julius Randle in 2014, who cashed in this year with a three-year, $63 million deal with the New York Knicks. D’Angelo Russell was next in 2015 and he just landed a max contract in a sign-and-trade with between the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets.
Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, selected No. 2 overall in 2016 and 2017, along with De’Andre Hunter, the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, were all traded to land Anthony Davis. 2017 first round pick Josh Hart was also traded to New Orleans. Even 2018 first-round pick, Mortiz Wagner was traded to the Washington Wizards to clear more cap space this summer.
The lone remaining member from that young core is Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma was selected No. 27 overall in 2017. He was technically a Nets selection and traded to Los Angeles, along with Brook Lopez, in exchange for Russell.
Who would have guessed just two years later that Kuzma would be the lone draft pick from the longest playoff drought in franchise history? Kuzma quickly established himself as a scoring threat and became the one player the Lakers did not want to part with in trade talks for Davis.
In his short time with the Lakers, Davis has been impressed with Kuzma.
"“Kuz is an unbelievable player, a young player who is steadily growing, always working on his craft,” Davis said of the third-year player. “Anytime I’ve played against him, it was always great battles. He can shoot it, he can stretch the floor, he can put it down, he can finish, has some post moves. I’m very excited about playing alongside him.”"
Despite questions about his ability to become a stretch-4 at the next level, Kuzma has thrived with the Lakers. He should continue thriving alongside LeBron James and Davis as those two will garner a lot of attention from opposing defenses.
If Kuzma comes off the bench, he will get to dominate against second units. A Sixth Man of the Year award would be attainable given his scoring prowess.
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That will be something head coach Frank Vogel will have to decide; whether Kuzma will start or come off the bench. Kuzma has already done both in his career. Whatever Vogel decides to do, he, too, is impressed by Kuzma.
"“Kuz, I couldn’t be more impressed with him in all aspects. Everything he’s able to do on the basketball court, I’m going to push him to really reach his potential on the defensive end. We know he can fill it up and score in every way imaginable,” Vogel said of his on-court abilities. “He’s shown to me early on that he’s very, very approachable. His attitude is a 10 out of 10, he’s a team-first guy. He’s going to be a major factor for us and play a major role for us.”"
Even if Kuzma comes off the bench with the second unit, expect him to play heavy minutes and potentially close games. Think of how Lou Williams is deployed with the LA Clippers. He doesn’t start games but is a big part of their gameplan.
Kuzma is a very important part of the Lakers. They thought highly enough of him to not include him in the trade for Davis.
Next. 2018-19 Player Grades: Kyle Kuzma. dark
His role will change this season from what he was doing last season, but if he continues progressing and working as he has been, it should be a seamless transition that will result in plenty of winning for the Lakers.