Is Kyle Kuzma actually the Lakers’ best prospect?

The Los Angeles Lakers have no shortage of exciting forwards, from Brandon Ingram to Larry Nance Jr. to Julius Randle. Ingram and Randle were lottery picks, while Nance went late in the first round two years ago.

But what if the best forward prospect the Lakers have is Kyle Kuzma?

Kuzma went No. 27 in this year's NBA draft, and wasn't much well-known outside of the Pac-12 fandom. He was truly an afterthought to the Lakers' big move to draft Lonzo Ball No. 2 overall and trade D'Angelo Russell for Brook Lopez — the No. 27 pick belonged to Brooklyn, and the Nets sent it to the Lakers in the deal.

Kuzma was a hero in Vegas Summer League, leading Whitney Medworth to declare he'd be a top-100 player in four years. We thought her crazy, but ... well. Over five preseason games, Kuzma is averaging 19 points on 56 percent shooting. He's the No. 7 scorer in the league over preseason. He has clearly been more productive than Ingram, Randle, or Nance. Kuzma has an excellent rhythm with Lonzo, but he's also played exceedingly well without Ball, who has sat three of the five games.

In short, Kyle Kuzma is real!

It is not unprecedented for certain types of players to have quicker success in the NBA. I'm reminded of the Sacramento Kings drafting Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas the same year, and I.T. taking to NBA pace like a glove while Fredette struggled, despite being picked 50 spots higher. What matters isn't where a player was picked. What matters is what a player does. And Kyle Kuzma is doing it.

Matt Ellentuck brings you the six most hilarious plays of the preseason. Dirk's self-awareness is legendary.

All takes are valid when it comes to Joel Embiid's brand new bag. Paul Flannery breaks them down one by one.

John Gonzalez on what Embiid and the Sixers now face for really the first time of The Process era: great expectations.

Now that Embiid has locked up all of that money, he might make his preseason debut on Wednesday.

Here are the details behind Philadelphia's protections in the Embiid contract.

Markelle Fultz has not covered himself in glory this preseason. Should Sixers fans be worried?

Here comes Ben Simmons.

Lee Jenkins alert! Lee Jenkins alert! The subject is Jimmy Butler.

New franchise owner Tilman Feritta declares that while he spent $2.2 billion on the Rockets, he would have been afraid to invest that amount in an NFL team.

David Roth on the escapist thrills and reality shading of the NBA.

The latest player to be hit with the Pelicans Injury Curse: Rajon Rondo, who will be out 4-6 weeks after sports hernia surgery. Rondo wasn't a highly rated free agent, but New Orleans cannot afford injuries to anyone.

PORG is like a couple pencil squiggles from SPORTS.

There are signs the Spurs could be returning to that beautiful style they played during their most recent title runs.

Kenyon Martin apologized to Jeremy Lin privately, and Lin reports they had a good conversation. Peace in Netsland!

Will anyone actually watch professional NBA 2K when they could ... watch basketball? I'm eager to learn if I enjoy watching it, to be honest.

Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball's rookie running mate