Los Angeles Lakers: Five weaknesses from 2018-19 that Kyle Kuzma will improve in 2019-20

(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)
(Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)
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(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

3. Mid-range

Kuzma’s game last season seemed to shy away from the mid-range. He only shot 99 mid-range shots and made 39, equaling out to only 39.4%. He needs to show more ability this upcoming season with the ball in his hands and have faith in that part of his game. The Utah product has the tools to pull up and knock that shot down on a bigger defender or post up on a smaller defender.

This can come with refining his dribble skills if he has a big defender on him. He should be able to give a jab step and quick dribble and get that shot to go. He can put defenses at a huge disadvantage if he can get that down, as the Lakers will have so much versatility and off-ball movement that Kuzma will get plenty of mismatches.

Green and Bradley are as good as they come off-ball. They run around, set screens and tire defenses out. This is where Kuzma can become a huge asset to the offense. He has all the tools necessary to consistently create his own shot and doesn’t need someone to set the table for him.

He did improve on his mid-range compared to his rookie season when he was 43-of-125 for 34.4%, but I believe he could get to that 45% range and become lethal in that area. If he can do that, this Lakers offense will reach new heights this season and easily make their way towards a top-five offense.