Kyle Kuzma can play. He's a very good athlete at the 4 in today's NBA. I like his activity on the glass. He can shoot the 3,  put the ball on the floor and use advanced moves, and he can also push the break off of a rebound. I've noticed a nice face up game too. Defensively he has the lateral quickness to hedge and even switch out on to guards in PNR. There's a lot to like about Kuzma and I think he could be a steal for someone late in the first round. 

 

At Utah, he operated a lot on the block. That's going to be good for when guards switch and he has a mismatch, but Kuzma's primary focus should be on being more of a consistent threat from 3. He's going to have to become a better decision maker in the middle of the floor as he was prone to turnovers. He's athletic with a running start but he could stand to add a floater ala Draymond Green. 

 

POSITIVES:

 

Stretch 4 capabilities 

Good athlete 

Plays a lot with his back to the basket 

Quick second jump, active on the glass

Good dive man 

Can put the ball on the ground 

Runs the floor like wing

Has the mobility to switch out on guards in PNR 

Contests without fouling 

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​AREAS OF CONCERN:

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Will he be able to finish in traffic?

Needs to improve his 3 ball (33%)

Needs to become a better decision maker since he will be in more PNR 

Not a rim protector 

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​​​​JAMES BARLOWE - MARCH 15, 2017