Podcast: How Kyle Kuzma can expand his game and still fit into his Lakers role

Kyle Kuzma had a frustrating and brutal an end to the season as anyone on the Los Angeles Lakers roster. So of course, he is following that up by making the case that he should actually have more responsibility on offense. Read the room, man. Read the room.

On this week’s “Lakers Lounge,” I had some fun with the combination of stories that Kuzma wants a larger role in the Lakers offense and that the Lakers are gauging interest around the league for their now fifth-year wing. Sometimes, the stars align and we get to chuckle at how things come together.

From there, I threw to a conversation between Harrison Faigen and myself about the seasons of Alfonzo McKinnie, Wesley Matthews, Jared Dudley and Damian Jones.

McKinnie is an interesting player both in terms of his value as an asset (his contract is non-guaranteed both this year and next) and as a talent. Sure, the days of wondering what he might add to his game are likely behind him, but he is a decent enough end of the bench player who might stand to benefit from a full offseason and some practice time next year.

Matthews is coming off a somewhat disappointing season but might be decent value next year as a veteran’s minimum player at the end of the rotation. The risk is obviously that he might be fully washed as soon as next year, but it’s worth the gamble given how few options the Lakers might have elsewhere.

Jared Dudley won’t add much in terms of basketball production, but you know what? We love his three-pointers and how much the Lakers seem to love his three-pointers. More of that next year, please.

Finally, Harrison and I discussed how Jones’ production even in only two 10-day contracts showcased how valuable his skillset was and we both think the Lakers need to find a player capable of finishing above the rim this summer. Miss you, Yung Wilt.

You can listen to the full episode below, and to make sure you never miss a show, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.

And for a short-form recap pod, check out Lakers Lowdown, in which Anthony Irwin recaps the previous day’s news and gets you ready for the day ahead in LakerLand, every weekday morning on the Silver Screen & Roll Podcast feed.