The Los Angeles Lakers have selected Kyle Kuzma with the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Lakers attained the 27th pick on Monday in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that saw D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov go to Brooklyn in return for Brook Lopez.
Kuzma, a 22-year-old power forward, joins the team out of Utah. Blessed with physical tools, he has the potential to be a strong defender in the NBA.
Nevertheless, he is a relatively unknown prospect and his role in the NBA remains to be seen. As a senior, he will be expected to perform right away. The Lakers saw him firsthand in a draft workout earlier in the offseason.
Last season, Kuzma averaged 16.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He also shot an admirable 32.1 percent from three giving some hope that he can develop into an NBA three-point shooter in the future.
It’s unclear whether this pick will eventually be used in a trade for Paul George.
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