NY Knicks: A history of youth struggling in L.A.
During the LeBron James era, there has been an endless conga line of young talent funneling their way through the roster in Los Angeles only to produce underwhelming results. A name like New York’s own Julius Randle remains the prime example. After averaging a collective 13.5 points per game across his four seasons in Los Angeles, his escape to New York was reinvigorating and instrumental in unlocking his full potential as he earned his first all-star selection in just his second season with the Knicks.
This comparison is not meant to equate the talents of Julius Randle and Kendrick Nunn, however, it is intended to outline a clear break in terms of a player’s ability to maturate in the proper environment.
It’s not just Randle who typifies this plight for the Lakers. Los Angeles has made a habit of mismanaging and undermining the development of highly-touted youths that have been scattered about in recent seasons. Kyle Kuzma, who was just shipped out to D.C. as a main fixture of the Russell Westbrook trade, was a first round pick for the team and was held in high regard at the start of his Lakers tenure.
However, he was relegated to the bench so often that he questioned his place on the squad. Unlike Randle, Kuzma’s redemption story has yet to be written but he’s just another account of diminishing returns amongst Lakers youth.
Finally, we arrive at a case of success in multiple destinations after fleeing Hollywood. D’Angelo Russell was once identified as an integral piece in Los Angeles’ future but was shipped out after just two, lukewarm seasons. He then went on to significantly improve in Brooklyn and Golden State before running into injury trouble in Minnesota.
Of course, we all know that the cream tends to rise to the top in the NBA but we simultaneously recognize that nurture is just as important as nature in the league as well. Knowing how delicate the process can be, Nunn could end up being another casualty of a broken youth development system in Los Angeles.