LOS ANGELES — Twenty-five thoughts for Kyle Kuzma’s 25 points in the Lakers’ 111-106 loss to the Clippers on Christmas.
1. Kyle Kuzma is the Lakers’ biggest trade chip. Or, if you assume they can count on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to simply be themselves, Kuzma is the player the Lakers really need to be good to win a title.
2. Our story begins on the loser’s side in the battle of Los Angeles. The Lakers are on a slide, having dropped four straight and both games against the Clippers so far. Of the two teams in the city with championship dreams, it’s probably the Lakers who need to change.
3. Kuzma was a star for the Lakers on Christmas. He didn’t help them win, but his season-high 25 points and four 3s off the bench stood out. He scored 19 in the first half and the Lakers led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, so it was a game they should have won. And Kuzma would’ve been the key.
4. The Clippers…
