Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo, Kyle Kuzma Placed On 'Hot Seat' Ahead Of Restart

The anticipation for the resumption of the NBA season late in July is off the charts. With the majority of the attention shifting towards LeBron James’ chase for another championship, the task on the Lakers’ supporting cast has now started to earn some serious scrutiny, primarily for Rajon Rondo and Kyle Kuzma, both of whom have been placed on the “hot seat” heading to the joust in the Florida bubble.

Jason Reed of the Lake Show Life believes the amount of pressure placed on Rondo and Kuzma is unparalleled compared to task levied on the rest of the team’s back-up crew. This does not ultimately come as a surprise since both players have been the usual subjects of the team’s trade talks in the past.

Left with no other choice but to thrive while pressed under the microscope, the veteran playmaker might have to unleash his patented “Playoff Rondo” and create a “new dynamic” for the Lakers, who will be missing the services of top-rated defensive guard Avery Bradley.

“There is hope among Laker fans that playoff Rondo will return during the Orlando bubble and will give the team a new dynamic that has not existed thus far. This is especially true with Avery Bradley deciding against rejoining the team,” Reed wrote.

Rondo’s postseason exploits are backed by stats, but Reed claims it would take more than just the flip of the switch to guarantee a spot in the Lakers roster moving forward.

The daunting task for Kuzma, meanwhile, is to stand out among the myriad of talents playing at his position within the team. Reed said the young forward’s spot has been put to greater risk with the addition of Markieff Morris, whom the Lakers added late in the regular season.

“If Kuzma continues to play as he has been and Morris proves to be a better fit then I absolutely think the Los Angeles Lakers will deal Kuzma. There was already so much trade speculation at the deadline and this could be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Reed stated.

It’s been a whole new level of examination for the 24-year-old after his failure to live up to the previous expectations forced the Lakers to place him at the trading block several times. And if things don’t change come the Disney World tilt, Rob Pelinka is expected to finally pull the trigger and send him packing.