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Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma was the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. And while many praised his performance last season, with some even including him in Rookie of the Year talks, he still has a lot to improve on his sophomore year and LeBron James comments on his development this offseason.
LeBron James on how Kyle Kuzma can take that next step in his development: "I think he did this summer. He didn't rejoice & be happy & satisfied w/ his rookie season." #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) September 27, 2018
LeBron James on Kyle Kuzma: "Came back stronger, faster, and more explosive. There it is." #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) September 27, 2018
Kyle Kuzma averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from beyond the arc, playing the stretch-four role most of the time in coach Luke Walton's system. He averages 31.2 minutes per game in spite of coming off the bench in 40 out of the 77 outings he played.
With a lot of veterans joining the Lakers following LeBron's free agency signing such as Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, Kuzma could see some competition for his rotation minutes. But with Rajon Rondo coming to Tinseltown, Lonzo Ball adding experience in playmaking, and James commanding double teams, Kuzma must stay alert to receive a lot of dishes and he should be ready to hoist those threes when he's free or drive through the open lane and dump the ball to the basket with ease. His outside shooting and penetration would be his main contribution in the Lakers' offense.
With James' arrival in Los Angeles, the king expects his young knights to show up and be ready to perform at par with him. In this offseason so far, Kuzma has come to heed the call and we'll have the whole season to witness his development.
