Will Kyle Kuzma Step Up?

Much has been mentioned regarding the Los Angeles Lakers heading down to Orlando as the favorites to walk away with the title. While the main focus has been on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the truth is, they can’t do it alone. The Lakers will need a third scorer and that will fall on the shoulders of Kyle Kuzma.

In just his second season, Kuzma was being mentioned as one of the bright up and coming players in the NBA. But then the 2019-20 season began and it all went downhill from there. With the addition of Davis, Kuzma has lost some of his spark. In his second season, Kuzma averaged 18.7 points in 33.1 minutes per game. But this season, before the hiatus, he was in a decline averaging a career-low 12.5 points in 24.6 minutes.

In order for the Los Angeles Lakers to come out as the last team standing, Kyle Kuzma will need to take on a larger role. Once a starter, he’s now a reserve. Even if that continues, he has control of the second unit. With the new additions added to the team before heading to Orlando, more may be asked of Kuzma to guide them.

Another thing to take notice of is his future with the team and that of Davis’. If he does play well, that will give the front office all the green light they need to try to build a team around Kuzma and Anthony once LeBron calls it a career.