Lakers testing Kuzma at center

The Los Angeles Lakers will likely begin the regular season without a true center to man the middle. They are bringing back Ivica Zubac, drafted Moritz Wagner, signed JaVale McGee, and even LeBron James has hinted he'll get minutes at the five. But it's possible that sophomore Kyle Kuzma could be their answer as a small-ball big man, and L.A. is testing him out ahead of their first preseason game on Sunday.

"It's going well, you know, picking it up," Kuzma said, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I have never really played the five before. And I think it will be good for us, having a small-ball unit, getting out and running and gunning."

Julius Randle started the final 49 games at center for the Lakers last season, providing effective defensive versatility. He signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer, leaving the Lakers with few options.

Enter Kuzma, who Los Angeles head coach Luke Walton believes can defend against bigger bodies.

"Absolutely," Walton said. "One of the reasons why we are trying him out there is because we liked that versatility that Julius gave us with that ability.

"He's been great. He's been working on his game, but coverages and things like that are obviously different from the five spot. He's been good. It hasn't been a ton of reps, but we've had him out there trying to see if it could possibly work."

Kuzma was a steal for the Lakers after being selected No. 27 in the 2017 NBA Draft. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.3 boards, and shot 36.6 percent on 5.6 three-pointers in 77 games his rookie year.