Lakers News: Kyle Kuzma Focused On Making Team USA Roster, Earning Playing Time

Dan Duangdao
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2019 NBA offseason slowly comes to an end, Kyle Kuzma is currently focused on representing the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.

While numerous All-Star players decided not to participate to prepare for the much-anticipated 2019-20 NBA season, Kuzma thinks it will help him heading into his third season.

And in Team USA’s recent White vs. Blue scrimmage, Kuzma finished with seven points and four rebounds in 10 minutes.

With Team USA practicing at the UCLA Health Training Center for their exhibition game against Spain, Kuzma detailed his experience, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers:

Kuzma is focused on not only making the Team USA roster but earning playing time with head coach Gregg Popovich:

In order to reach his goal, Kuzma wants to provide defense and rebounding along with his improving offensive game:

With Team USA needing to cut three players for their 12-man roster, Kuzma should have a good chance of making it.

However, based on the scrimmage, there may be some concerns as he played the third-fewest minutes. After Kuzma played limited minutes in the first quarter, he did not check in again until the fourth quarter for Popovich.

And after an individual 5-0 run which included a highlight dunk and three-pointer, the 24-year-old was taken out.

If Kuzma makes the roster, the hope is it will take him to another level for Year 3. As the Lakers are in search of a third All-Star player alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Kuzma is confident he can fill that role for them.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.