Since LeBron has been down with a significant groin injury, the young Lakers have shown many things. Guys like Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Lonzo Ball have shown flashes of their potential. However, these Lakers have also shown that they simply can’t make it without LeBron. Los Angeles is 3-5 since LeBron went down, so it isn’t too terrible, but those loses came to underwhelming teams. This team will be ready for LeBron’s return so that they can make another run in the West standings.
Kyle Kuzma
In Kyle Kuzma’s first three games following LeBron’s injury, he put up 33 points, 24 points, and 18 points. Kuzma himself then got injured the following game, then missed the next two after that. The 23 year old made his return against Dallas where he put up his worst performance in the league so far in his career. He shot 4-20 from the field and didn’t do much else. However, he the exploded for a career high 41 points the very next game against the Pistons. This kid is starting to blossom into something great and should be labeled an “untouchable” in trade talks until further notice. Scoring isn’t the only thing Kuzma does on the floor either. He also rebounds the ball very well with 5.7 rpg, and is a more efficient player overall from last year.
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball, the kid with unlimited potential, has also seen an improvement in his play in the wake of LeBron’s injury. In the last eight games, Lonzo has been averaging 12.3 ppg. That’s almost three ppg higher than his season average. Ball also posted his second highest scoring output against Dallas, logging 21 points. Also, in six of Ball’s last eight games, he’s logged 5+ rebounds. All while taking care of the basketball, and setting up his teammates very well. We all know what we have in Kuzma, but Lonzo is a huge question mark. I like to think of him as the modern day Rajon Rondo, but if he can develop a good, consistent jumper, there is no limit to just how good Zo can be.
Josh Hart
At the beginning of the season, most expected Josh Hart to be a consistent scoring option off the bench, and that he has been. The former Villanova Wildcat has since been shoved into the starting lineup since the King’s injury. His scoring averages have gone up almost two ppg since scratching the starting lineup, but that isn’t what is most surprising about his play so far. Over the last eight games, Hart has been rebounding the ball exceptionally well. The 6’5″ shooting guard somehow pulled down FIFTEEN boards against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a great rebounding guard of their own. Some brushed it off as luck, but just five days later, he pulled down TWELVE boards against the Dallas Mavericks. Hart also pulled down seven against Sacramento, six against the Clippers, Seven against the Knicks of New York, and seven against the Detroit Pistons.
All In All
These guys have a long way to go before they could ever be let loose on their own. With LeBron now on the sidelines watching, this gives the King an even better chance to coach and mentor these young, potential packed talents. When the young guys are playing well, that doesn’t just help the team win games, it also increases their trade value. This being said, maybe, just maybe, the Lakers could get a deal done to get Anthony Davis to Los Angeles alongside the King.
