Stephen Gosling/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported the Los Angeles Lakers are one among a number of groups monitoring Kyle Kuzma forward of the NBA commerce deadline on February 6.
The Washington Wizards ahead is averaging 15.8 factors in 27.5 minutes whereas capturing 42 % from the paint and 27..6 from past the arc. Whereas these numbers could also be down from his earlier two seasons within the nation’s capital, he has developed the popularity of a frontrunner with the staff.
Scotto wrote: “Kuzma is considered as one of many staff leaders who retains the Wizards aggressive whereas serving to to construct the event of the opposite younger gamers round him as a ahead who can rating and defend.”
Carita Parks @CaritaCParks
I adopted up with Kyle Kuzma straight about his evolution as a frontrunner. A part of his response on leaning extra into that function: “I do know folks on this group & my teammates have a look at me once I’m on the court docket. That holds alot of weight. I do not take it as a right.” #DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/5TNKUaDHqP
The Lakers, 4-6 of their final 10 video games and ninth within the Western Convention, have been outscored by 70 factors of their final two. The staff has been run out of the world by the Timberwolves and Warmth in its final two video games and finds itself at a pivotal second within the season.
There may be an argument to be made that the Lakers don’t want one other ahead like they do a middle, however Kuzma’s maturation in Washington is plain. He’s a participant who can profit L.A. in 2024 in a approach he by no means may have when he left following the 2020-21 season.
Confronted with worsening group, he labored to higher himself and the younger expertise round him. He developed into a frontrunner and, at 29 years outdated, he stands out as the most full participant and teammate he has ever been.
Buying and selling for the veteran would carry depth to the roster and introduce a presence within the locker room who would possible should yield to Anthony Davis and LeBron James. However has the expertise of taking part in for struggling groups and nonetheless discovering a method to get one of the best out of gamers who could not have been the standard of what the Lakers have on their roster.
He may additionally profit Dalton Knecht, the staff’s first-round decide on this 12 months’s draft and somebody for whom expectations can be excessive. Kuzma has been in that place as a first-round decide anticipated to be one of many franchise’s faces.
He has additionally skilled what it feels prefer to fall in need of these expectations and might work with Knecht so he doesn’t really feel the identical wrath of a annoyed Lakers group that he did.
Kuzma remains to be a talented participant who averaged over 32 minutes and 22.2 factors per recreation final season. He isn’t a washed veteran trying to end out his profession with a recognizable staff.
He can contribute at a excessive stage for a staff that has had hassle with accidents, together with beginning ahead Rui Hachimura, who missed 4 video games with an ankle sprain to shut out November.
Kuzma can begin or come off the bench, however his capacity to attain and play protection will assist the Lakers in a stacked Western Convention the place any potential champion will do each.
So long as the value is correct, including Kuzma can be of nice profit to the current and future in L.A., and supply the staff with the depth it has not had during the last three years, enhancing lofty championship hopes the group has historically set for itself.
