Lakers: Comparing each young star to recent NBA All-Stars
By Jason Reed
Kyle Kuzma —Antwan Jamison (2x all-star)
I promise, I am talking about the good version of Antwan Jamison, not the Antwan Jamison that played on the Lakers late in his career and did virtually nothing. That Antwan Jamison averaged just 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Kyle Kuzma’s ceiling is much, much higher than that version of Antwan Jamison.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
Instead, Kuzma can have a career similar to the one Jamison had with the Washington Wizards. A two-time all-star with the Wizards, Jamison had the best six years of his career in Washington. IN that time frame, the forward averaged 20.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Those kind of numbers are likely the ceiling that Kyle Kuzma is going to hit in his career. While he is already pretty close to those numbers in his rookie year, Kuzma is much closer to his final product in his rookie year. It is not like Ball or Ingram, who both have a massive amount to grow.
Jamison played more small forward early in his career and transitioned to a primary power forward late in his career. Kuzma is already showing signs of flexibility between both forward spots and has stepped up big while Brandon Ingram has been out.
Both can score down low and both can stretch it out and shoot the three. While neither Kuzma or Jamison are elite three-point shooters, all it takes is one hot night and either could make it splash.
Next: How the Lakers can make a splash in 2018 and 2019
While some may expect more out of Kuzma, fans should be more than happy if they get prime Antwan Jamison numbers out of Kyle Kuzma.