The new year is officially here! The Lakers, like everyone, are hoping 2019 brings them good health and fortune. Following Christmas Day injuries to LeBron James, and more severely Rajon Rondo, the team has had to rely on its young players to keep pace within a air-tight Western Conference.

Of the team’s young core, or “core four,” Kyle Kuzma has stepped his production up exponentially in James’ absence. In the three games since the Christmas matchup with Golden State, Kuzma has averaged 25 points, 8.7 rebounds and five assists a contest.

After a slow start to the season, the Sophomore forward has steadily improved and showed glimpses of the development many fans expected to see after the multitude of clips and pictures of his offseason regiment hit social media. 

During his stretch of strong play, there have still been areas where improvement could be had. 2019 potentially could bring big things for Kuzma, and the Lakers, if he keeps these resolutions.

Find The 3-Point Stroke Again

Now firmly in year two of his professional career, Kuzma has made important improvements in his efficiency. Upping both his field goal and true shooting percentage, the 23-year-old continues to display offensive polish beyond his years.

One area where he has taken a noticeable step back though has been his 3-point shooting. Kuzma shot 36.6 percent from three as a rookie en route to setting the Lakers’ rookie record for most 3-pointers made in a single season.

But as a Sophomore, Kuzma continues to be ice cold from behind the arc.

On the year, Kuzma is shooting only a mere 30.5 percent from deep, but possibly more concerning than his percentages is the fact that he is missing quality looks.

Of Kuzma’s six 3-point attempts a game, 5.6 have been classified as either “open” or “wide-open” per NBA’s tracking data. Last season, when Kuzma had four-to-six feet of space from his nearest defender (open) he canned the 3-ball at a 36.5 percent mark.

This season, Kuzma is shooting a dismal 26.2 percent on his open threes.

Praised for his quick release and aesthetically pleasing jumper in year one, Kuzma simply has yet to recapture that same touch. He not only is not meeting his own standards he set for himself last season, but simply has found difficulty in meeting league averages.

As of this piece, the current NBA average on this level of openness on 3-point attempts is 33.9 percent, which is nearly eight percent higher than Kuzma is registering.

While his cold start has been discouraging, not all hope should be lost. Playing alongside James and the team’s slew of playmakers on a nightly basis, there is no reason Kuzma should get a sudden shortage of these looks.

If last season’s output was not a blip, or mirage, there should be eventual regression to the mean. Which if it does, the shooting coupled with his other areas of strength on offense should result in bunches of points.

Keep Being Awesome In-Between

Although Kuzma has struggled to find his shot behind arc thus far, he has been dynamic within four and 14 feet of the basket.

With his combination of size, footwork and a gnarly first step, Kuzma often has his way against both smaller and taller defenders.

Functionally using his physical skills well, Kuzma compounds his optimal measurements with impressive touch around the rim. His keen understanding of angles also helps him create advantageous routes to the restricted area, often getting just enough loft on his shots off the glass or over the rim for two points.

According to Cleaning The Glass, Kuzma is shooting 69 percent around the rim which is ten percentage points higher than his rookie posting. He has also done well outside four feet as he is shooting 47 percent in short midrange attempts, which is in the 79th percentile of the league among “Bigs.”

Kuzma’s improved in-between game has helped cloak his early struggles from behind the arc. His array of crafty floaters, hook shots and off-ball movement are a big reason why his efficiency across the board has risen and is becoming a go-to target for James on the offensive end.

Round Out Your Game

Vocal about his desire of becoming a “complete” basketball player, Kuzma has made noticeable strides towards his goal. But it took time.

No longer the primary option on offense, Kuzma struggled early in the season in offering value on the court when his shot was not falling. His poor initial defensive effort coupled with his aforementioned cold streak made for a dampened start to the year for him and the team.

Fortunately, through necessary self-reflection and schematic alterations, his steady improvement became noticeable.

In addition to his visible on-court development, his data also began to see an uptick. A quick glance at his his B-Ball Index talent grades reveals the subtle and significant areas of growth thus far.

As seen in his grades, Kuzma has made big jumps in his Off-Ball Movement, Finishing, Playmaking and both facets of defense.

In his rookie year, Kuzma made a name for himself across the league for his impressive ability to score the ball. However, putting up points was nearly the entire encapsulation of his value on the floor.

This year, however, he has showed real growth in rounding out his game, and it is beginning to pay dividends on the floor and the numbers. A minor, but not entirely dismissible five spot increase this year in Real Plus Minus exemplifies the promising path he is beginning to lead.

His ability to move with out the ball, finish off curls and cuts, has made him a prime asset on the floor. Yet, ultimately his true ceiling as a player, and for the Lakers, relies on how close he reaches his goal of becoming a complete basketball player.

Although he came out of the gates slow, recent indications are hinting he is closer than almost anyone would have expected.

*Data via: NBA.com and Cleaning the Glass, helped compiled by Ben Holz. Featured artwork by Aidan Lising.