Los Angeles Lakers: Is Kyle Kuzma destined to be the next superstar?

Kyle Kuzma has a lot to live up too. The expectations that come with being on the Los Angeles Lakers in a Championship contending team are huge. Yet, Kuzma feels he is ready to live up to that task, but with a deeper team than last year’s, can he emerge as the third star for the team?

Kyle Kumza wasn’t in the playoffs contending for an NBA Championship during the beginning of the summer. Instead, he was at home. Watching from the sidelines.  News and rumors spread like a forest fire. The same news and rumors that stunted the Los Angeles Lakers 2018-2019 season. Who are they going to trade for Anthony Davis?

In the end, Kuzma was the lone young star left standing in the Lake Show. With expectations just as big as ever in Laker Land, fans are excited to get the season started.

I mean what fan wouldn’t? LeBron James, Anthony Davis, plus the additions of new free agents such as DeMarcus Cousins and Danny Green makes the team heavy contenders for the title.

Kyle Kuzma does not seem fazed in the least bit with all that has surrounded the Lakers organization the past year. He feels he is ready to take the next step to be the Lakers third superstar, Kuzma told The Athletic.

"“My motivation is there to be that third guy,” Kuzma said, “for the simple fact that playing with LeBron, with AD, I got high dreams for myself to do some pretty special things in my career. So that’s motivation in itself. It’s a testament to my work ethic and laying down the groundwork for my past two years being in the league. From an individual standpoint, I have to focus on myself. I’ve had a chip on my shoulder my entire career, so I’m ready just from that standpoint. It won’t change.”"

Kyle Kuzma definitely showed flashes of becoming that star last year. Having a career-best 41 point game against the Pistons on January 9th, 2019. All the while having explosive games throughout the season. Kuzma posted big numbers, but also small ones too.

He shot just 30.3% from the 3-pointer last season. He will also need to improve his free throw percentage as he only shot 75% from the line. It’s the little things that Kuzma needs to do in order to become the next star.

Defense is one of those things as Kuzma was ranked at a 112.2 defensive rating for last season, making him an average to bad defender most of the time.

With a championship in their crosshairs the Los Angeles Lakers will need players to step up and be championship level players. Especially in the tough Western Conference. Kyle Kuzma has everything he needs to grow and succeed in Los Angeles. The question is, can he? In the end, it is all up to him.

Right now Kuzma seems to be headed in the right direction. He is focused on being the best player he can be. Kuzma has even started to train with NBA trainer Chris Brickley, who has trained some of the biggest stars in the NBA. He has even trained ex-Laker, D’Angelo Russell who we all saw reach a whole new level this past year.

Kyle Kuzma has set himself up for success for the upcoming season. Working on his game, joining Team USA for the FIBA world cup and embracing the new team that surrounds him. All that is left is for him to go out on the court and prove himself worthy of being the Lakers third star.