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Los Angeles Lakers player spotlight: Kostas Antetokounmpo

By Zane Harris

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Kostas Antetokounmpo #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Kostas Antetokounmpo #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers participates in warmups prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on December 19, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the deepest rosters in the league and with the team out of action, we are spotlighting every member of the team.

With the NBA season being suspended for at least the next month, it is the perfect time to take a closer look at each player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster.

In this “Player Spotlight” series I will be taking a look at each player’s college and NBA career up to this year, their strengths and weaknesses, and what they bring to the Lakers. The first player to be covered is Kostas Antetokounmpo.

Biography:

Kostas is one of three brothers in the NBA. Both of his other brothers (Thanasis and Giannis) play for the Milwaukee Bucks. Kostas spent his college career with the Dayton Flyers, where he averaged 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in his one season.

After his college career, Antetokounmpo spent a season with the Dallas Mavericks before finally finding his way to the Lakers. While his NBA career averages of 0.4 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 0.2 assists leave a little to be desired, he is only 22 years old and has spent a lot of his career in the G-League.

His G-League stats are much more promising. This year with the South Bay Lakers he averages 14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 62% shooting from the field.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Kostas now is hard to judge as he is so young. He has possibly one of the highest ceilings in the league if the Lakers staff can develop him to his fullest potential. Currently speaking, however, he is a very skilled inside scorer.

He also is built very similarly to his brother Giannis. Standing at 6’10” and weighing 200 pounds, Kostas uses his length to clog up passing lanes, block shots, and clog up passing lanes. His biggest weakness now is shooting.

In NBA games he is shooting 50% from the free-throw line and in the G-League shoots 15% from three. However, countless NBA players have developed a jumper and improved free-throw shooting throughout the course of a career.

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What He Brings To The Team:

In this season, Kostas brings elite defense and length to the Lakers. He is someone with the athleticism to guard almost anyone in the league. However, he is a liability on offense. As a result of this, he does not see much playing time in the Lakers rotation.

An interesting aspect of Kostas however, is that he might be the secret weapon that the Lakers need in terms of signing Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In a recent interview, Giannis said he would love to play on the same team as all of his brothers, whether that be in Milwaukee or LA.

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If Kostas is the reason the Lakers sign another top-five player in the league, on top of the potential he has himself, he is extremely beneficial to have on the Los Angeles Lakers roster.

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