Los Angeles Lakers: Which Player Is the Third Option?

#3: Kyle Kuzma

The first player on the list is Kyle Kuzma. Coming into the season, Lakers coaching staff and fans alike had high hope for Kuzma and that he would be the clear third option for the Lakers. He was the only major young player that the team made off limits for the New Orleans Pelicans that sent their young core to New Orleans in return for Anthony Davis.

This season, Kuzma had a major drop in almost every major statistical category. Which is to be expected as he is seeing much less time on the court along with being demoted to a bench player. His game simply does not mesh well with the two stars.

He has not quite developed into the player that everyone has hoped that he would be. Kuzma struggles to play off of the ball and needs the ball in his hands to be at his best. Which makes him the perfect candidate to be the first player off of the bench.

If he continues to improve his shooting along with his defensive game we could see him turn into the clear third best player on the team. He has shown flashes of this in the playoffs this season and has played much better than expected.

If he continues this along with coming into the offseason fulfilling the potential that he is showing he very well might be the third piece of the Lakers big three. If not it is very possible that he could be traded before the deadline next season.