Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be a great asset to the team this season. Whether he'll stick around for more years to come will depend on how well he continues to play. One thing is for certain, KCP is a great defender, just ask Dante Cunningham. Let's hope his defensive tenacity will rub off on the other Laker guards. Oh and he can shoot the ball pretty well. (20 points on 64% shooting)
Jordan Clarkson is instant offense and will make a serious run at Sixth Man of the Year honors. He led the team in scoring with 24 points but more importantly he did it efficiently taking 18 shots and making 10 (56%). He was one of the catalysts in the Lakers comeback and will be in the game during crucial moments.
Julius Randle got a chance to show his value to the team as he played tough, physical one-on-one defense against DeMarcus Cousins during the Lakers run that erased a 21 point Pelicans lead. I'm sure this effort won't be lost on the coaching staff and we may get to see Julius on the court more playing alongside Nance, Jr. or Brook Lopez as the go-to big man reserve.
If Randle builds on this game and continues to play well, Kyle Kuzma's versatile play may create a new, somewhat better, problem for Coach Walton and his assistant coaches. Kuzma could end up being the small forward behind Brandon Ingram. He continues to impress the coaches and fans alike by scoring 20 points, grabbing 6 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field and playing solid team defense.
Lonzo Ball had an off shooting night but is starting to establish himself as the leader of the team. The next couple of games will test these young Lakers on what they've learned so far as they face the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
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