Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Kyle Kuzma must start

Kyle Kuzma should start for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyle Kuzma was rewarded with a three-year extension worth $40 million from the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The 25-year-old has a player option for the 2023-24 season.

This extension should clear Kuzma’s head and gave him even more confidence going into his fourth season. Kuzma had a fantastic preseason that was overshadowed by Talen Horton-Tucker’s play. Kuzma averaged 20 points on 42 percent from deep in four starts.

After a strong showing in the preseason, the Lakers must keep Kuzma in the starting lineup going forwards. Here is why:

Improved defense

Had Kyle Kuzma been the same player he was the first two years of his career I wouldn’t recommend him starting. News flash, he has shown major improvements on the defensive end over the last year.

In the past, Kuzma was a one-way player, a guy who can score in bunches but it ended there. Now he is a capable defender who does some of the small things.

With Danny Green and Avery Bradley gone, the Lakers will have to call on two new starters. The Lakers have plenty of options with guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Dennis Schroder, Wesley Matthews, Alex Caruso, and even Talen Horton-Tucker. Kuzma is the most intriguing option of the bunch due to his size and versatility.

In the preseason, the Lakers tried Kuzma on some wings including Devin Booker. If he is called on to start he will have to take on the challenge of defending small forwards and even some shooting guards.

Confidence

Kyle Kuzma is a player who can score in a hurry. With the additions of Montrezl Harrell and Dennis Schroder, it doesn’t make as much sense to bring him off the bench. Before the Lakers lacked some scoring punch off the bench, now they’re expected to be amongst the league’s best second units.

Giving Kuzma starter minutes will go a long way for him. Last season off the bench he averaged 12.7 points in 24 minutes. It was career lows in both categories.

As a starter, he averaged 20.9 points and 5.4 rebounds on 49 percent shooting (9 starts). His improved defense should make him a no-brainer for the starting lineup. Imagine having him out there with LeBron and Marc Gasol’s playmaking, and Anthony Davis scoring ability.

Team balance

If the Los Angeles Lakers go with a starting lineup of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Marc Gasol it provides the team balance. Their second unit should look something like Dennis Schroder/Alex Caruso, Wesley Matthews (Talen Horton-Tucker)/Markieff Morris/Montrezl Harrell.

If the Lakers decide to go with Caldwell-Pope and Matthews instead of Kuzma the Lakers starting unit will only have two true scorers. Adding Kuzma gives LeBron and Davis another big scoring threat.

It also makes sense to bring Schroder off the bench due to his success in the role and he can lead the second unit with Caruso at shooting guard.

The Los Angeles Lakers can’t go wrong with any combinations considering they have the league’s best duo, however, starting Kuzma can make the team even more invincible.