Lakers news: Kyle Kuzma says Lakers have to 'make the playoffs' first before talking about winning championship

Small forward Kyle Kuzma says the Los Angeles Lakers have to "make the playoffs" first before talking about winning the championship.

Small forward Kyle Kuzma says the Los Angeles Lakers have to “make the playoffs” first before talking about winning the championship.

With Anthony Davis in the fold next to LeBron James, the Lakers are now title contenders. Kuzma, though, says the purple-and-gold can't get ahead of themselves.

“We got to make the playoffs,” Kuzma said Thursday at Powers Catholic on the opening day of his second annual free basketball camp for local youngsters, via Brendan Savage of MLive Media Group. “That’s the most important thing. We haven’t made the playoffs in a couple of years. That's the No. 1 goal now.”

The Lakers haven't made the postseason since 2013. That will likely change next season barring something unforeseen happening.

The Lakers' roster is headlined by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kyle Kuzma, DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green and Rajon Rondo. Los Angeles also has Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, Quinn Cook, JaVale McGee and Jared Dudley.

Kuzma was the only youngster who survived the Davis trade with the New Orleans Pelicans. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart were all traded to New Orleans.

Kuzma is a talented scorer and figures to be the third-leading scorer on the Lakers in 2019-20 behind LeBron and AD. He has to improve his efficiency and defense for LA to make a run at the title.