While many fans and analysts have focused on Lonzo Ball‘s and Brandon Ingram‘s development as the two key young players for the Lakers, so far this season it has been Kyle Kuzma that has provided the most value to the team. Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report writes that Kuzma has emerged as the Lakers’ best young talent, especially in the wake of LeBron James‘ injury.
As Pincus points out, Kuzma has averaged nearly 25 points per game in the 10 games he has played without James, with the Lakers winning five of those contests. While Kuzma has struggled to hit 3-pointers (just 31.3% so far this season), he can score in a variety of ways while also providing another capable ball-handler.
Meanwhile, Ball’s jump shot continues to disappoint, while Ingram hasn’t looked comfortable playing alongside James, a big issue if he plans on being a crucial piece of the team in the years to come.
There’s more from the Pacific division:
- While DeMarcus Cousins made his return on Friday and will continue to work his way into a larger role moving forward, Nick Friedell of ESPN points out that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn’t plan on slowing the pace for Cousins to catch up.
- As Elie Okobo continues to adjust to life in the NBA, he was able to face (and learn from) his childhood idol Tony Parker over the past week as the Suns faced the Hornets on two occasions. Duane Rankin of Arizona Central writes about how Okobo grew up watching Parker.
- The Suns‘ call for public funds to renovate their arena will reach a vote in the upcoming week. As Bob Young details for The Athletic, the team is calling for $150 million in public funds to help make renovations to an arena that opened in 1992.
Kuz showing his worth, something Ingram must now start to do or be dealt at seasons end.
Wouldn’t surprise me if LA make a play for Fultz by deadline too, seeing he’s training in LA, spies surely have had a look….
Lakers arent wasting 9M of next years cap on Fultz.
Lol for real. They are in win now mode. I expect a major Lakers trade, but none involving Fultz.
Rose and Gibson for Caldwell Pope and Ingram
Rose and Gibson with their expiring deals will net the Wolves something if made available, but the lakers will get more for Ingram.
Ingram for Vucekic. Can’t wait for AD and they don’t need another ball dominate player. It would be straight up and the Rockets would be involved.
Might be wrong, but I don’t think that trade works cap wise since the Lakers are over the cap. In terms of actual value, that’s a pretty bad deal for the Lakers imo. Vucevic is a free agent at the end of the year so trading Ingram, who has decent value despite his poor play, for what could be half a season of Vucevic would do little to help the Lakers (especially since Vucevic would not push the Lakers over the top). The Lakers need another star if they expect to compete for a championship and Vucevic is not a star.
The Lakers do not need a star to compete. They need a knock down jump shooter and a defensive minded wing. They have enough scorers they need someone who’s going to shut down and be the agitator grit guy. Rondo can play that role and Ingram has the length to be an elite defender but he looks like he’s half asleep or high or both most games.
If you’re New Orleans… do you Keep AD and he walks or Trade him to the Lakers a conference rival for…. probably Ingram, Ball, Wagner, Pope (Matching) and a 1st round pick OR wait and trade him to the Celtics for all of their 2019 1st round picks and Al Horford? None of their picks are currently Top-10. Lot of interesting names out there tho in their pick range like Bol Bol, Jontay Porter, Keldon Johnson, Kevin Porter, Deandre Hunter.
why won’t the media report the real truth that star players don’t want to play with diva james ie pg13, durant, kyrie, etc. sooner vs later it’s going to cost luke walton’s job
Lebron hater alert!
No need to alert…I’m a lifetime laker fan and I love that the young bulls get to figure it out on their own without dbag queen. I’d rather have a nucleus of a team than two or three drama “stars” ruining the game by jacking up 80 3’s a game and pounding the ball in the court for a million dribbles just to step back travel three or drive and flop for a foul. It’s garbage basketball