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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma is willing to play more at center

By Nick Ziegler

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 7: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 7, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 7: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on January 7, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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With the injury to DeMarcus Cousins, Kyle Kuzma recently said he would be willing to play center.

After the injury to DeMarcus Cousins, there is some uncertainty with what the Los Angeles Lakers will be doing next.

The injury to Cousins was certainly something that nobody expected in the middle of the summer, and it has resulted in the Lakers now having to make some unforeseen decisions in August.

As a player that was likely going to be playing some major minutes for the Lakers, the team will now have to evaluate their options both internally and externally.

Luckily for the Lakers, they do have a starting-caliber center in JaVale McGee to man the middle at the start of games. However, McGee played just 22 minutes per game last season, and likely won’t be playing a ton more this season.

This leaves a lot of minutes available at the center position, and the Lakers will need to find someone to play them. Recently, Kyle Kuzma spoke to Lakers.com about playing at center. Here’s what he said with text via Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll.

"“I mean, potentially. You just never know. One thing that’s going to prepare me well is this experience with USA Basketball. They really like my versatility and how I can play the three, four and put me at the five a little bit. Last year I didn’t really have experience at that but now being with USA Basketball has allowed me to really work on things and if Vogel wants to do that, that’s what I’ve got to do.”"

While it is good that Kuzma is willing to play center, it doesn’t seem like a great idea for the Lakers. Kuzma would be a mismatch for opposing centers on the offensive end, but he can’t handle centers on the defensive end.

Kuzma simply doesn’t have the size or strength to play at center against a traditional center. The Lakers would be hurting themselves too much in the rebounding and defensive departments if that was the case. We did see Kuzma a bit at center last season, and the results weren’t good.

Players who must step up with Cousins out. dark. Next

With Davis unlikely to log big minutes at center this season, the Lakers are going to likely have to look at some of the external options in free agency. While those options aren’t fantastic, the Lakers will need a body at center to log some minutes. Even though it is nice Kuzma is willing to play center, it wouldn’t be a good idea for him or the Lakers.

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