NBA News Roundup, Wednesday, September 25th: Kevin Durant unlikely to return this season, Bucks fined for Giannis comments and more

#2 Kyle Kuzma may miss Lakers training camp due to injury

Kyle Kuzma has been backed to step up as the Los Angeles Lakers' third star during the forthcoming season

The Los Angeles Lakers roster will soon gear up for training camp, although Marc Stein of The New York Times is reporting that Kyle Kuzma is expected to miss the start of the camp.

More on our AM story: The Lakers indeed expect Kyle Kuzma to miss the start of training camp as he continues to recover from a stress injury in his lower left leg, league sources say. The team will issue a formal update this week, with Kuzma's rehab said to be progressing well

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 24, 2019

Kuzma was the only member of the Lakers' much taled about young core that was retained this summer, and the 24-year-old has been backed to step up as the third star on Frank Vogel's team.

Kuzma injured his knee while training with Team USA ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and subsequently withdrew from selection for the tournament. During his second season with the Lakers, Kuzma averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Nevertheless, the Lakers' season doesn't get underway until Oct. 22, and Kuzma could still return.