NBA Market Share Report: Who to Count On in the Absence of LeBron James?

All the King's Men

With LeBron James on the shelf nursing a groin injury, an opportunity arises in Los Angeles as the Lakers look to their youngsters for production. The question, of course: which guy packs the most punch?

While Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball may be the go-to names, it’s Josh Hart who slides into the starting lineup with the King out for recovery. Surely all of them present an opportunity for increased usage and production, but it’s Hart taking off from a sub-$4,000 salary that likely presents the most value in coming games.

Expected usage increases for Kuz, Ingram, and Lonzo is tempting because, like Hart, they all have the ability to contribute across the stat sheet. Hart’s salary, however, is at least $2,300 less than Ball at the moment, while Ingram and Kuzma are sure to cost you even more.

This won’t be the first time we dive in with Hart this season. After starting the season well and turning in some valuable point totals through the first month or so, he cooled a bit in November and has since thrown together two consecutive games of four-times value with an increased workload on the way.

It’s more of a wait and see approach and strictly dependent on salary. Increased minutes and usage are likely to spread around, so pull out the gauge and weigh everything against respective salaries. Even a guy like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be in play.

The Lakers take on the Clippers tonight, followed by the Kings and Thunder next week.