LeBron, Kuzma could rotate as Lakers centre

LOS ANGELES The Los Angeles Lakers brought in two big men in the offseason, but they could be counting on 6-foot-9 forward Kyle Kuzma to play centre in some situations.

“It’s going well, you know, picking it up,” Kuzma said after practice on Friday. “I have never really played the five before. And I think it will be good for us, having a small-ball unit, getting out and running and gunning.”

The Lakers signed one 7footer JaVale McGee, formerly of Golden State, and drafted another in Moritz Wagner from Michigan to join 7-foot-1 Ivica Zubac. But head coach Luke Walton said as the team started camp that he wanted to look at small lineups. LeBron James also could play centre in some scenarios.

Julius Randle, a 6-9 power forward, played some centre for the Lakers last season, but he signed with New Orleans as a free agent. He was valuable to the Lakers because he could switch and defend at a number of positions.

Walton said he could see Kuzma, a 23-year-old in his second season, doing the same thing.

And I think it will be good for us, having a small-ball unit, getting out and running and gunning. — Kyle Kuzma, LA Lakers forward

“Absolutely,” Walton said. “One of the reasons why we are trying him out there is because we liked that versatility that Julius gave us with that ability.”

Walton continued: “He’s been great. He’s been working on his game, but coverages and things like that are obviously different from the five spot. He’s been good. It hasn’t been a ton of reps, but we’ve had him out there trying to see if it could possibly work.”

The Lakers selected Kuzma, a Utah product, with the No. 27 pick of the 2017 draft. He made the All-Rookie team as he averaged 16.1 points and 6.3 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game.

He has concentrated on getting stronger over the offseason.

“You can see it. You can feel it,” Walton said of Kuzma’s new strength. “You work out with him, he’s much more of a man right now physically – the way he runs the court, the way he’s jumping and taking contact and all those things. He’s worked extremely hard this offseason, and it’s showing up on court.” — Field Level Media/Reuters