Lakers News: Anthony Davis Talks Perimeter Game; Kyle Kuzma Discusses Contract

Not too long ago, the Los Angeles Lakers were cashing in on their acquisition of Anthony Davis with a championship. A little more than two months later, they're set to kick off a title-defense campaign with a roster that may be even better than last year's.

Davis and LeBron James are back in the fold, of course, and valuable role player Kyle Kuzma is fresh off a new three-year extension. However, the new-look Lakers also feature the likes of Montrezl Harrell, Dennis Schroder, Marc Gasol and Wesley Matthews.

When the Lakers face off against the crosstown Clippers on Tuesday night to start their season, it's going to be a different team for a variety of reasons. We'll dig into some of the latest Los Angeles buzz here.

Davis Looking to Add to Perimeter Game

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

While James was named Finals MVP, one could argue that Davis was just as valuable during L.A.'s bubble run. He's a dominating defender and a powerful inside presence who can also keep opponents off-kilter with his shooting ability.

During the 2019-20 season, Davis shot 33 percent from beyond the arc, which is a solid clip for a big man. However, he only averaged 3.5 threes per game, something he's looking to adjust this season.

"Last year Coach talked to me about getting my three-point attempts up," Davis said, per Ron Gutterman of Lakers Nation. "I think I was shooting maybe three a game last year and 38 percent in the bubble. He said it helped us win, and he wants me to get that average up to five attempts a game."

The NBA's greatest players have always looked to continue evolving their games, so it's not surprising to see Davis want to become more versatile offensively. Doing so could also help make the Lakers offense more dangerous.

Don't expect Davis to heave up threes like Stephen Curry or James Harden, but a few extra attempts should help create space for James, Gasol and the rest of L.A.'s starters.

Kuzma Looking to Grow Under New Deal

Kyusung Gong/Associated Press

Consistency hasn't exactly been Kuzma's strong suit. At times last season, he looked like L.A.'s clear-cut third option behind Davis and James. At other times, it was easy to forget that he was even on the roster. Of course, the Utah product is just 25 years old and entering his fourth NBA season.

Not every player can enter the league and immediately become a star.

However, the Lakers obviously see enough potential in Kuzma to justify a $40 million extension. It should keep Kuzma in the fold along with Davis and James for the foreseeable future. There's a chance he'll pick up a couple of more titles before cashing in with a big free-agent deal.

For Kuzma, though, the decision to sign wasn't just about chasing championships or maximizing his value. He's looking to learn under some of the league's best players and improve himself.

"Just being able to align myself with those guys and also just continue to learn and develop as a player and human," Kuzma said, per Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. "And to be in an opportunity to be in a championship window, to continue to win championships, until my deal is up when I'm into my prime."

If Kuzma can develop into a reliable third option, it'll be hard to find a roster that will be able to match up with Los Angeles in a seven-game series.

Horton-Tucker Could Be Poised to Shine

Kim Klement/Associated Press

While fans should be excited about the new additions and the progress of Davis and Kuzma, there's another young player who may help Los Angeles on its path to another championship. Talen Horton-Tucker, a 2019 second-round pick, may be forcing his way into the rotation.

"It's going to make my job difficult for sure," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said, per Dan Woike of Yahoo Sports. "We have a very deep team. No minutes are guaranteed."

Horton-Tucker has been one of L.A.'s biggest standouts this preseason, and he may be poised to steal a little spotlight in the games that actually count. According to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports and RealGM, the second-year man may even play a significant role.

"I just had an NBA scout text me 'I don't know if you are allowed, but put some money on Talen Horton-Tucker for Most Improved. He's going to play a lot and he added a lot to his game since the start of his rookie year,'" Smith tweeted.

If Horton-Tucker can deliver on his potential, it's only going to further bolster an already-deep Lakers roster.