Kyle Kuzma
Last season as the Raptors traipsed through the playoffs eventually winning the championship; all eyes were on Toronto’s two All-Stars, Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry.
Both men played great. Nevertheless, if Pascal Siakam hadn’t been a member of the Raptors, they wouldn’t have won the title.
Siakam averaged 19 crucial points per game (2nd on the team) to go along with seven rebounds per game (2nd on the squad) during the postseason. On defense, Pascal often covered the opposing team’s best scorer allowing Leonard to save energy on offense.
Next season, Kyle Kuzma must do his best Siakam impersonation and become the Lakers irrefutable third-best player.
“Kuz” has the mental makeup to be a star. He wants the ball at the end of tight games, and he’s not scared to take the last shot. A lot of players don’t want that kind of pressure, but Kuzma eats stressful basketball situations for breakfast.
Last season there were a handful of games that Kuzma’s full offensive arsenal was on display, and he showed that when his shot is falling from beyond the arc, he can single-handedly turn a double-digit deficit into a lead in a matter of minutes.
Regrettably, most games Kyle’s offensive brilliance never truly shined because of his clunky outside shot.
This summer, Kuzma’s worked hard to improve his stroke and create the muscle memory required to become an excellent 3-point shooter. If Kyle is capable of connecting on an above-average clip from deep, he’ll transform into the type of quick-hitting offensive assassin who can drop 30 points in a half and turn a loss into a victory.
On defense, nobody expects Kuzma to become as good as Pascal Siakam, but why can’t he come close? Siakam’s a 6’9″, 230-pound wiry power forward while Kuzma’s also a 6’9″ 220-pound lean PF.
Siakam isn’t overpowering. Instead, he gives 100% effort on every possession, and he uses his speed and agility to bother his assignment.
Kuzma also goes hard on every play.
Siakam went from an afterthought in his second season to one of the best young two-way players in the league during his 3rd outing.
Next season, Kuzma will enter his third season and Lakers fans must hope that he’s ready to snipe from deep and step it up on defense, hence emerging as a true dual-threat for the Purple and Gold.
During the 2019-2020 season, the NBA will have several championship-caliber teams, and it’s going to be very difficult for any squad to trudge through series after series in the postseason to eventually win a title.
It’s hard to see the Lakers beating the likes of the Rockets, Warriors, Jazz, and Clippers without Kuzma emerging into a genuine offensive threat and an above-average defender.