LA Sports: The five greatest rookies of the 2010 decade

LA Sports: The five greatest rookies of the decade

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 13: Mike Trout #27 (C) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is presented with the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award before the game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 13, 2013 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – LA Sports /

5. Los Angeles Lakers Kyle Kuzma

2017-18 GP: 77 PPG: 16.1 RPG: 6.3 FG%: .450

When the Los Angeles Lakers picked 2nd at the 2017 NBA Draft picking local product Lonzo Ball got them in the news for plenty of reasons, but it was a late first-round draft pick that proved to be a shrewd long term move.

Kyle Kuzma was drafted 27th by the Brooklyn Nets for the Lakers in a drat day trade, Kuzma was that rare NBA draft product that played three years in college making all-Pac12 first team as a junior for the Utah Utes.

Kuzma made an immediate impact on the Lakers averaging 16.7 points and shooting 50.4 from the floor and 37.9 percent from three-point land over his first 20 games and being named NBA Rookie of the Month.

Kuzma was chosen to the All-Star Weekend Rising Stars game and would be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team over Lonzo Ball who made the Second Team, not bad for someone who was an afterthought on draft night.

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