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Los Angeles Lakers: The three players that will win awards next season

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Luke Walton talks with Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Head coach Luke Walton talks with Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on January 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Kyle Kuzma — Sixth Man of the Year

The seeds are definitely planted for Kyle Kuzma to be the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year next season. Kuzma was a breakout rookie last season that was named to the All-Rookie First-Team, something nobody really expected heading into the season.

While a season like that would typically warrant a starting gig in his sophomore season, adding LeBron James threw a wrench in the plans for Kuzma to start on a nightly basis. Despite starting 37 games last year and being the third-best player on the roster, Kuzma is likely going to start most of his games off the bench.

That is where the Lakers can make the most out of the promising young star.

Kuzma will still get starter-like minutes, likely somewhere just south of 30 minutes per game. He is going to serve as a combo forward, spending time at both small and power forward behind Brandon Ingram and LeBron James.

In the Lakers “death lineup,” LeBron will likely be slated at center with Kuzma at power forward. When Ingram needs rest, Kuzma is the first guy to come on the floor. The same can be said for LeBron.

Kuzma is going to produce similar, if not better, numbers than he did last season in his breakout season. Those were great numbers for a rookie and will be great numbers for a bench player and will earn him Sixth Man of the Year honors.

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