LaVar Ball believes his son Lonzo’s departure from the Los Angeles Lakers has had an adverse effect on forward Kyle Kuzma this season.
Kuzma, 24, is having the worst year of his career.
The third-year pro is putting up 12.5 points, 4.5 boards and 1.3 assists per contest this season. During the 2018-19 season, he averaged a career-high 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.
The Lakers drafted both the younger Ball and Kuzma in the 2017 NBA Draft.
However, the team shipped the younger Ball to the New Orleans Pelicans in a package that netted them superstar Anthony Davis last summer.
The point guard is putting up 12.4 points, 7.0 assists and 6.2 boards per game this season with the Pelicans.
While Kuzma’s production has declined this season, there is no cogent evidence to prove that the younger Ball’s impact had anything to do with it.
Instead, it makes more sense to assume Davis’ arrival has hampered Kuzma’s growth. After all, Davis is a transcendent talent who takes dozens of shots and minutes.
The All-Star is averaging 26.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game this season.
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