Kuzma: People are underestimating new-look Lakers

The new-look Los Angeles Lakers received mixed reviews after an eventful offseason. Anytime a team acquires LeBron James, they're immediately going to become contenders. It's the other moves that have critics scratching their heads.

The criticism won't stop Lakers sophomore Kyle Kuzma from shutting down the skeptics, as the forward says he and James are anticipating the opportunity to prove the additions of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and Michael Beasley are better than expected.

"We are both definitely excited about the roster and the pieces that we have," Kuzma said, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "And we think that a lot of people are underestimating us. It is definitely going to be fun playing with all these new guys."

In addition to the newcomers, the Lakers have a fruitful young core of Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. Their developmental years may be in the past, as James will expedite the process with hopes of turning the Lakers into contenders once again.

"I don't know why people kind of just rule us out because we are young," Kuzma said. "We are hungry, we are competitive. Anybody that watched us play last year, we were in a lot of games.

"Having one of the greatest players of all time is going to raise what we do, raise our level of focus and the team to a higher level. I don't really see why (there is a need to be) so patient."

The Lakers haven't made the postseason since 2013 - their longest drought in franchise history.