As training camp and the 2026-27 NBA season slowly approach, it is time to start taking a look at what each member of the Los Angeles Lakers should be working on this summer and how each of them can help the team be as successful as it can be.
Therefore, LeBron Wire is outlining three goals for each Lakers player this coming season.
Forward Arthur Kaluma, who went undrafted out of the University of Texas a year ago, was with the Lakers' G League affiliate last season. But after an impressive showing in July's summer league, he earned himself a two-way contract. Now he has an opportunity to perhaps earn some playing time and perhaps even break into coach JJ Redick's rotation at some point, especially if he accomplishes these three goals.
Become a 3-point sniper at the NBA level
During
the G League tip-off tournament and regular season last year, Kaluma shot 37.8% from 3-point range while taking 3.7 3-point attempts in 24.4 minutes a game. In the main Las Vegas summer league, he shot 50% from downtown on a high volume of attempts while averaging 18.6 points a game.
Redick values players who can hit from the outside and provide overall offense, and if Kaluma does that at the NBA level, he will give Redick a different decision to make as far as divying up minutes and figuring out his depth chart at the wing and forward spots.
Become a plus defender
At this point in his basketball life, Kaluma isn't really known for his defense. The Lakers need plus defenders on the perimeter, especially after ranking 20th in defensive rating last season, and they could use a rotation player who can effectively guard both small forwards and power forwards while providing some type of value on the offensive end.
Kaluma is 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, so he could have enough size to effectively defend at both forward spots. He needs to make defense part of his DNA and be relentless but also disciplined on that end of the floor.
Help out more on the boards
Kaluma averaged 4.6 rebounds in 24.4 minutes a game during last year's G League tip-off tournament and regular season. While the addition of center Walker Kessler, and to a lesser extent Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili should help the Lakers improve on the boards, they will also need help in that category from their wings and small forwards.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers player goals for 2026-27 season: Arthur Kaluma
