Greatest Lakers of all time: 36- Kyle Kuzma
- 4 seasons, 276 games, 1 title
- 15.2 PPG
- 5.6 RPG
Kuz went from being an essentially unknown #27 pick of the 2017 draft to becoming the MVP of the Summer League to a fan favorite and a prominent role in the Lakers “young core”, all in a matter of months.
The next season, he started at forward alongside newly-signed star LeBron James and averaged 18.7 points. But when the Lakers traded for a second star, Anthony Davis in 2020, Kuzma experienced difficulties adjusting to a new, reserve role.
He was the only homegrown young player left on the roster and much was expected of him. When he struggled, many fans called for him to be traded. Yet he persevered and re-invented his role in many ways.
Unfortunately, Kuzma’s tenure with the Lakers ended too soon as the team included him in the Russell Westbrook trade.