NBA Rookie Fantasy Profile: Kyle Kuzma

Position: PF

Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Draft Spot: 1.27

Analysis: Every year there is a player that is drafted significantly later than they should be and they become a dark horse for the Rookie of the Year award. This year, that honor belongs to Kyle Kuzma. He was not a hot prospect coming out of college, but he has made a name for himself throughout the offseason.

Kuzma progressed in each of his three seasons at Utah, becoming a focal point of the office his Junior year. During that season, he averaged 16.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. He was not the most efficient scorer, but he shot at a respectable rate of 56.0% from two-point range, 32.1% from three-point range, and 66.9% from the free throw line.

Kuzma was drafted onto a young, fast paced Lakers team. He looked like an elite player during the Summer League, averaging 21.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. He has forced himself into a big role for the Lakers, and they will have to play him immediately to start the season.

Bottom Line: Kuzma will produce points and rebounds. He can also produce assists, steals, and blocks, but at a lower rate. He will struggle with percentages, though.