Lakers made steal of the draft in Kuzma

No one was surprised when the Lakers took Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 pick in this year’s NBA draft.

He was projected as a high-end lottery pick, and the Lakers needed star power to infuse energy into the organization. What did surprise many, though, was who the Lakers landed at No. 27.

Kyle Kuzma, a 6-9 forward out of Flint, Mich., by way of Utah, was projected by many basketball experts as a second-round prospect. That’s the way it is for upperclassmen out of college (he was a junior when he came out), especially prospects who don’t come from blueblood college programs.

“I played behind a lot of NBA draft picks, and I don’t know why they missed on me,” Kuzma told The Undefeated. “Scouting departments aren’t that tight, I guess. I don’t know. Who knows? A lot of folks are biting themselves now though.”

Kuzma, 22, has been the steal of the draft, and he already looks like a foundational piece for the Lakers, alongside Ball and Brandon Ingram. Though he’s listed as a power forward, Kuzma’s size and athleticism make him a prototypical Swiss Army Knife. Coach Luke Walton has called him a matchup nightmare, and his versatility makes him an asset on the defensive end.

He plays with energy, is always looking to attack and is shooting 50% from the field a quarter of the way through his first season. Compared to other rookies, he’s second in scoring (16.7), fifth in rebounds (6.1), third in double-doubles (five) and fourth in three-point percentage (37.9%).

And while he’d likely never admit it, he’s helping to lighten the spotlight on his fellow rookie who’s faced the neverending glare of the Los Angeles media.

The excitement about Kuzma stems from his energy and hustle, but it’s also from his array of moves. He’s shown an ability to finish with floaters, with his back to the basket or even hit from outside.

Below are this week’s rookie rankings, as voted on by Sam Amick, Jeff Zillgitt, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer (note: season statistics through Monday).

1. Ben Simmons, 76ers: 18.1 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game, 7.4 assists per game

2. Kuzma, Lakers: 16.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.6 apg

3. Jayson Tatum, Celtics: 13.7 ppg,

5.4 rpg, 1.5 apg

4. Lauri Markkanen, Bulls: 14.4 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.4 apg

5. John Collins, Hawks: 11.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 0.9 apg

Also receiving votes: Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell, Mavericks’ Dennis Smith Jr.