Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors: 3 Reasons to trade for Kyle Kuzma

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers signals during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers signals during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Golden State Warriors (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Golden State Warriors: Kuzma has playoff experience

A factor that held Golden State back last year was their lack of playoff experience. While unsung heroes such as Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damion Lee, Eric Paschall, Mychal Mulder and Jordan Poole all had their moments of greatness, they fell short when things mattered most.

Now, I’m not going to pretend Kyle Kuzma is some sort of battle-hardened soldier who elevates his game to the highest level when the lights are at their brightest. But, he has won an NBA championship as a core rotational player for the Los Angeles Lakers, and that means something.

Kuzma posted 10.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during the Lakers’ bubble run to a title. He was particularly strong in their second-round series against Houston, scoring 12.0 points per game on above 60 percent shooting across the Lakers’ four wins.

It’s worth noting that Kuzma was not very good this year versus Phoenix. He shot poorly from the field and was a momentum killer at various points of the series, specifically in the decisive Game 6 when his erratic shooting halted LA’s potential comeback in the second half.

Even so, Kuzma has played three seasons next to LeBron James and has learned a thing or two about playing championship-caliber basketball. He isn’t a finished product but Kuz is most definitely a step ahead of other members of the Warriors in terms of experience.

Home/Warriors News