Los Angeles Lakers: Why LA was wrong in keeping Kyle Kuzma

By Jason Reed | Sep 9, 2019

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers listens to teammate Kyle Kuzma #0 against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Lakers are already deep at the three and the four

The versatility that Kobe Bryant was mentioning was Kyle Kuzma’s ability to play at the power forward position as well as even logging time as the “shooting guard” in crunch time, although he is not that great of a two-guard at the NBA level.

Kuzma’s bread and butter do still come at the four but he can also play small forward close to how he plays the four. And whenever he is on the court with Anthony Davis, his role is going to be more of a three than a four.

That showcases that the Lakers are deep at the forward position, especially this three-four player mold. Davis is going to play the four as he has made it clear he does not want to play center and LeBron, although he will act as the point guard, is going to play the three.

You already have your two-best players at those two positions, so why keep your third-best player at the same position and make him come off the bench? Having a great bench presence is important, but the Lakers are kind of limiting Kuzma in that role.

While it helps for rotational purposes and depth, it is going to create a weird lineup in the closing moments of games where Kuzma is likely going to get mismatched onto a guard.

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