The Los Angeles Lakers have an abundance of young guys, which only magnifies the importance of having a few veterans on the team to guide the up-and-comers. Lakers center Brook Lopez functions as one, and though he’s not as vocal as most other veterans, he’s the type that will lead through example.

Lopez’s type of leadership and professionalism isn’t lost on at least one Laker, rookie Kyle Kuzma, who told Ben Nadeau of Basketball Insiders of his admiration for the way Lopez handles himself on and off the court.

“[Lopez] takes care of his body, he stays low-key and is never in trouble,” Kuzma said. “He’s the type of professional I want to be.”

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Kuzma will have to absorb as many lessons as he can from Lopez, who’s unlikely to remain a Laker beyond this season. The 7-footer, who is playing on an expiring contract, was shipped from the Brooklyn Nets to the Lakers back in the summer along with the 27th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft for D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. Coincidentally, the Lakers used that pick to select Kuzma out of Utah.

It’s good to know for the Lakers that Lopez is giving them more than just a formidable rim protector and an elite post operator, but also as a terrific example for their players to emulate.

Lopez is averaging 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game this season.