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Los Angeles Lakers: Why LA’s bench is the best in the West

By Jason Reed

EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Moritz Wagner of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the press during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Moritz Wagner of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the press during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Kyle Kuzma is primed to be one of the best sixth-men in the NBA

The Los Angeles Lakers Opening Night starting lineup is going to likely consist of Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James and JaVale McGee.

As the year goes on, Ball is going to be the starting point guard as he gets healthy and Josh Hart may win the shooting guard position. Head coach Luke Walton could even tinker with the center position, which may include starting power forward Kyle Kuzma there against smaller teams.

However, for the most part, Kuzma is going to be forced to the bench as a sixth man for the team with the addition of James. Kuzma is going to get no shortage of playing time and is going to improve on a stellar rookie season to become one of the league’s best sixth man.

Every good bench starts with a great sixth man and Kuzma provides just that for the Lakers. The second-year forward is likely going to see time at both forward positions as well as center in small-ball lineups.

With his explosiveness to the rim and natural scoring ability, Kuzma is going to float around the 20 points-per-game mark and is going to make a mark rebounding and passing as well. What else can you ask out of a sixth man?

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