Los Angeles Lakers: Three key improvements for the second half

Give Kyle Kuzma 35 minutes per game instead of 29

If he continues playing well with more time on the court, is this really a bad thing? We’ve seen Kuzma’s scoring numbers drop below Brandon Ingram’s for the team lead in that particular category, but his minutes are also below 30 per game right now.

The rookie from Utah has shown tremendous strides to start his career in Los Angeles, and the future is bright for the Los Angeles Lakers if they play their cards right with him.

What they really need to know regarding Kuzma is if he can really continue being dangerously efficient with more playing time, which may or may not happen due to how he handles the fatigue that comes with those extra minutes.

Ingram plays seconds away from 34 minutes per game, while Kuzma averages 29.5 each night he plays. Adding minutes to what’s expected of Kuzma also sends him a friendly reminder not to get too comfortable with his rookie success.

It’s great to see him be the way that he’s been out of the gate — especially for a gem of a pick late in the first round like he is — but this can’t be the end of our expectations for the forward. The idea here is that with more minutes, Kuzma will only mature in a better fashion.

Heading into his second year next season, the Lakers are going to need more from him in order to even think about contending in the Western Conference, particularly if they add a superstar to the roster.

Depending on other moves made, Kuzma could even possibly find himself with the second unit; but that is all up to the flow and go of free agency. Test him out now while you still can to avoid his numbers dropping drastically.