2. Kyle Kuzma
As long as Kyle Kuzma is on the Los Angeles Lakers he is going to have something to prove. Kuzma was the lone piece of the young core that the front office reportedly wanted to keep away from an Anthony Davis trade and that instantly puts a spotlight on the young forward.
It is more than just that, though. Kuzma was expected to be the third-best player on the Lakers last season and that fell apart quickly. However, this season, Kuzma was playing much better basketball.
He took a smaller step back and was playing more efficiently. His efforts to improve on the defensive side were noticeable and while his overall output was not as high, his efficiency was higher.
He has not been good since the team got hurt. In fact, he is one of the players we highlighted that are struggling with LeBron James hurt (the article is dated by a few games).
Kuzma has gone back to his old way with a higher usage rate and his overall efficiency has gone down. He is not this high-output guy that some think he is. He is better taking a backseat as an off-ball stretch four that can also cut to the basket.
Kuzma did get a new contract from the Los Angeles Lakers but that does not guarantee that he will stick around until the end. We have seen Rob Pelinka trade players before the contracts he signed expired and Kuzma’s increase in salary makes him easier to match up in trades in the offseason.