The Official Kyle Kuzma Thread

[Frichuela]

Forgive me if this has been discussed elsewhere, but given current trajectories for Rui and Kuz, what do folks think should/will happen in free agency with them? I’m assuming Kuz will opt out.

Do you keep them both? Trade one at deadline?

I enjoy watching Kuz much more than I thought.

As it stands now, they only have about $12M in luxtax room to pay the two players after accounting for their draft pick. They could conceivably generate about $8M more room by drafting a PG and then moving one of Morris or Wright.

I don't think Ted will go over the luxtax unless this team is winning 48+ games a year, which is highly unlikely. So I think he'll only retain one. My guess is they'd prefer to retain Kuzma as long as the contract doesn't rise above $20M a year or so. The real question is whether they'll take the initiative to move Rui for value at the Trade Deadline rather than let that asset walk for nothing.

All of this is contingent on Beal not being moved by the Trade Deadline, of course.

It's crazy to think that a team this mediocre is having to make cuts of useful players due to luxtax implications.

The obvious (and competent) move would be to indeed trade Rui at the deadline. Chicago could be an option as they lack PFs and own POR 1st (Lottery protected). Provided we make the playoffs (big IF) this would help us recoup our missing 2023 1st rounder.

[DCZards]

Kuz was just on NBA Today. Said playing away from LA has enabled his game to shine a little more because in LA the attention was often on his fashion or hair color as opposed to how he was playing. Feels like being away from the drama and attention of LA and playing with an all-time great in Lebron has been good for him and his game.

Also said that adding Beal back in the lineup will help the rest of the team because BB draws so much defensive attention. Team just has to keep moving the ball and playing the way they have during the current 4 game winning streak when Beal has been out, Kuz said.

[payitforward]

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Does YODA measure clutchness? Didn’t think so.

It matters to me.

And — he’s still in his prime. Still room to grow.

Also: a nice as heck guy and, from all accounts, a great teammate.

The counter argument to that is that if we had a better player than Kuz we wouldn’t need a last second bucket.

Buckets in the first quarter count just as much you know

Somehow I missed the above exchange.

I wish people would read AFM's second sentence about a 1000 times until they actually grasp it!

Plus, for clarity, there is no such thing as "clutchness." It's that simple. It doesn't exist.

No one -- literally not a single player -- shoots a higher % with "the game on the line" than he does when there's no super-special pressure on a particular shot. Period. No one.

I remember an interview with Kobe in which he commented on the subject by saying, with a chuckle, that he could not remember the zillion and one times he'd taken "a clutch shot" & missed it!

Commenting positively on Kuzma's so-called ability to "make it when it counts" last season indicates a failure to recall a simple fact:

Our record last season was 35-47

Only the two most pathetic teams in
the entire Eastern Conference, Orlando
& Detroit, managed a worse per-game
deficit against their opponents than
the Washington Wizards.

You do not want so-called "clutch"
players. You want to be ahead
comfortably as the game winds down.

The way you get there is by having
players who score at a high TS%.
That's not Kuz.

[80sballboy]

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[nate33]

So it looks like he is looking for a deal of something like 4 years, $100M.

I know the general sentiment on this board is that Kuzma is an empty stat guy who doesn't really help you win, but I'm inclined to lean against that consensus. I see Kuzma as a multi-tool player who can do a little of everything, and that's the type of guy you need to advance in the playoffs. Kuzma's only real flaws are 3-point shooting and shot selection (he needs to shoot less). The shot selection can definitely be improved with proper coaching, so it really boils down to 3-point shooting. If Kuzma is a 37% shooter from 3-point range, he is a real valuable player.

I'd probably be inclined to retain him at 4 years, $100M. The way I see it, we are either trying to win now, which means we can't really replace Kuzma's talent if he leaves. Or we are going to trade Beal and rebuild, and in a rebuild, you have to pay someone, so why not Kuzma - a good-natured guy who can carry a high usage on a bad team.

[TGW]

Nope. His production is fake. Get him out of here asap for some sort of pick and cap relief.

[pcbothwel]

So it looks like he is looking for a deal of something like 4 years, $100M.

I know the general sentiment on this board is that Kuzma is an empty stat guy who doesn't really help you win, but I'm inclined to lean against that consensus. I see Kuzma as a multi-tool player who can do a little of everything, and that's the type of guy you need to advance in the playoffs. Kuzma's only real flaws are 3-point shooting and shot selection (he needs to shoot less). The shot selection can definitely be improved with proper coaching, so it really boils down to 3-point shooting. If Kuzma is a 37% shooter from 3-point range, he is a real valuable player.

I'd probably be inclined to retain him at 4 years, $100M. The way I see it, we are either trying to win now, which means we can't really replace Kuzma's talent if he leaves. Or we are going to trade Beal and rebuild, and in a rebuild, you have to pay someone, so why not Kuzma - a good-natured guy who can carry a high usage on a bad team.

Nate,
Im on the opposite end. Beal is already locked into his contract and I dont see his value changing anytime soon. No reason to trade him unless he demands it or we are offered a great deal.
OTOH, Kuz is having his best year while making 40-50% less than what he will make next year. At his salary, many contenders can afford to bring him as a piece. Once he resigns, his value immediately drops as does his overall market.

[nate33]

So it looks like he is looking for a deal of something like 4 years, $100M.

I know the general sentiment on this board is that Kuzma is an empty stat guy who doesn't really help you win, but I'm inclined to lean against that consensus. I see Kuzma as a multi-tool player who can do a little of everything, and that's the type of guy you need to advance in the playoffs. Kuzma's only real flaws are 3-point shooting and shot selection (he needs to shoot less). The shot selection can definitely be improved with proper coaching, so it really boils down to 3-point shooting. If Kuzma is a 37% shooter from 3-point range, he is a real valuable player.

I'd probably be inclined to retain him at 4 years, $100M. The way I see it, we are either trying to win now, which means we can't really replace Kuzma's talent if he leaves. Or we are going to trade Beal and rebuild, and in a rebuild, you have to pay someone, so why not Kuzma - a good-natured guy who can carry a high usage on a bad team.

Nate,
Im on the opposite end. Beal is already locked into his contract and I dont see his value changing anytime soon. No reason to trade him unless he demands it or we are offered a great deal.
OTOH, Kuz is having his best year while making 40-50% less than what he will make next year. At his salary, many contenders can afford to bring him as a piece. Once he resigns, his value immediately drops as does his overall market.

Fair point. If we received a good offer for him before the Deadline, I'd definitely consider it. I do wonder how good of an offer would come along given that he is a pending free agent.

[FAH1223]

Shams spoke to Tommy in that article and here it is

However, the Wizards’ front office, led by general manager Tommy Sheppard, has made clear that it views Kuzma as a cornerstone moving forward as the franchise has seen him thrive since the mega-trade in the 2021 offseason. The Westbrook trade provided future flexibility and assets for the Wizards, who have been known to be aggressive and active in research across the league.

“We’ve had great respect for Kyle since he’s been in the league,” Sheppard told The Athletic. “He had a great rookie season, being in the Rookie of the Year conversation, and then life changed when LeBron came. So when the trade happened, it allowed Kyle an opportunity to join our program, have a bigger role, start for us, and he has been outstanding.

“Kyle has such a great personality and demeanor, and he has so much more room to grow in the future for us. We’re really excited for his future growth here.”

For his part, Kuzma is expected to approach in excess of $20 million to $25 million per year on a new deal next summer, rival executives believe. Kuzma, who is averaging 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists to go along with 20.6 points, is in the second season of the three-year, $40 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 2020.

“The sky’s the limit,” Kuzma said. “In my first deal, I definitely did the Lakers a little favor to have the hometown discount. I always appreciate (Lakers vice president of basketball operations) Rob Pelinka for the deal that he gave me, because it gave me security and it gave me a player option. I was one of the few players in NBA history without being a lottery pick to have a player option in an extension. Everything has worked out in my favor from signing that deal to my progression as a player to this summer too.”

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Kuz was just on NBA Today. Said playing away from LA has enabled his game to shine a little more because in LA the attention was often on his fashion or hair color as opposed to how he was playing. Feels like being away from the drama and attention of LA and playing with an all-time great in Lebron has been good for him and his game.

Also said that adding Beal back in the lineup will help the rest of the team because BB draws so much defensive attention. Team just has to keep moving the ball and playing the way they have during the current 4 game winning streak when Beal has been out, Kuz said.

I think the next three games without Beal are Kuzma’s opportunity to shine. The quote about Beal drawing defensive attention, while true, is totally negated by Beal playing isolation ball in the clutch. Two or three games of the six recent losses with Beal might have had totally different outcomes had the ball movement been better.

The two things that I think would almost certainly improve this team would be if WUJ would run the offense through Kuzma more often, and if he’d play a big lineup.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Forgive me if this has been discussed elsewhere, but given current trajectories for Rui and Kuz, what do folks think should/will happen in free agency with them? I’m assuming Kuz will opt out.

Do you keep them both? Trade one at deadline?

I enjoy watching Kuz much more than I thought.

As it stands now, they only have about $12M in luxtax room to pay the two players after accounting for their draft pick. They could conceivably generate about $8M more room by drafting a PG and then moving one of Morris or Wright.

I don't think Ted will go over the luxtax unless this team is winning 48+ games a year, which is highly unlikely. So I think he'll only retain one. My guess is they'd prefer to retain Kuzma as long as the contract doesn't rise above $20M a year or so. The real question is whether they'll take the initiative to move Rui for value at the Trade Deadline rather than let that asset walk for nothing.

All of this is contingent on Beal not being moved by the Trade Deadline, of course.

It's crazy to think that a team this mediocre is having to make cuts of useful players due to luxtax implications.

Turd isn't going anywhere near the tax. Remember, he paid a 1st rounder to get off of Nicholson's awful contract (which ended up being Jarrett Allen). Sure, we got a rental in Bogs, but that deal was predominantly to save money. Turd isn't going to forgo his GSW money.

The day of the Jarrett Allen draft I just knew that C out of Texas was going to become a very good player.

As for Kuzma and Rui, I’d trade both for Collins; particularly if Atlanta has any other picks to include.

What’s to lose?

[Wizardspride]

As it stands now, they only have about $12M in luxtax room to pay the two players after accounting for their draft pick. They could conceivably generate about $8M more room by drafting a PG and then moving one of Morris or Wright.

I don't think Ted will go over the luxtax unless this team is winning 48+ games a year, which is highly unlikely. So I think he'll only retain one. My guess is they'd prefer to retain Kuzma as long as the contract doesn't rise above $20M a year or so. The real question is whether they'll take the initiative to move Rui for value at the Trade Deadline rather than let that asset walk for nothing.

All of this is contingent on Beal not being moved by the Trade Deadline, of course.

It's crazy to think that a team this mediocre is having to make cuts of useful players due to luxtax implications.

Turd isn't going anywhere near the tax. Remember, he paid a 1st rounder to get off of Nicholson's awful contract (which ended up being Jarrett Allen). Sure, we got a rental in Bogs, but that deal was predominantly to save money. Turd isn't going to forgo his GSW money.

The day of the Jarrett Allen draft I just knew that C out of Texas was going to become a very good player.

As for Kuzma and Rui, I’d trade both for Collins; particularly if Atlanta has any other picks to include.

What’s to lose?

Personally, I wouldn't trade Kyle for Collins straight up. At least not at this moment.

[badinage]

Kuz was just on NBA Today. Said playing away from LA has enabled his game to shine a little more because in LA the attention was often on his fashion or hair color as opposed to how he was playing. Feels like being away from the drama and attention of LA and playing with an all-time great in Lebron has been good for him and his game.

Also said that adding Beal back in the lineup will help the rest of the team because BB draws so much defensive attention. Team just has to keep moving the ball and playing the way they have during the current 4 game winning streak when Beal has been out, Kuz said.

I think the next three games without Beal are Kuzma’s opportunity to shine. The quote about Beal drawing defensive attention, while true, is totally negated by Beal playing isolation ball in the clutch. Two or three games of the six recent losses with Beal might have had totally different outcomes had the ball movement been better.

The two things that I think would almost certainly improve this team would be if WUJ would run the offense through Kuzma more often, and if he’d play a big lineup.

Amen.

He cost us at least two and I think three games.

Beal has inarguably taken this team on a nosedive since his return. A good coach wouldn’t let him play star ball. Because he’s not a star. He’s not even the best player on the team.

His anti-clutchness + his body language/pouting + his ball dominance = albatross.

[nate33]

I think the next three games without Beal are Kuzma’s opportunity to shine. The quote about Beal drawing defensive attention, while true, is totally negated by Beal playing isolation ball in the clutch. Two or three games of the six recent losses with Beal might have had totally different outcomes had the ball movement been better.

The two things that I think would almost certainly improve this team would be if WUJ would run the offense through Kuzma more often, and if he’d play a big lineup.

Amen.

He cost us at least two and I think three games.

Beal has inarguably taken this team on a nosedive since his return. A good coach wouldn’t let him play star ball. Because he’s not a star. He’s not even the best player on the team.

His anti-clutchness + his body language/pouting + his ball dominance = albatross.

Beal didn't play in 1 of those 6 losses, and he played just 3 minutes in another.

So in this last 7-game stretch involving 6 losses, Beal played in 5 of them, and we lost 4. But I find it hard to blame Beal for those losses. In those 5 games that Beal played, he posted 27.6 points, 5.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a reasonable 2.8 turnovers, with a TS% of .621. During that same stretch, the rest of the team (ex Beal) averaged 68.6 points at a .576 TS%. So Beal was responsible for over 25% of the offense and he did so at an efficiency significantly above that of the rest of the team.

Yes, Beal screwed the pooch at the end of the Charlotte game with 2 terrible turnovers. But the only reason we were in the game was because of Beal's play for the first 45 minutes of action. He posted 33 points on a .600 TS% that night while the rest of the team posted 83 points on a .562 TS%.

Beal didn't cost us 2 or 3 games. The team was terrible and Beal alone wasn't enough to carry them on his back. That doesn't make Beal the guy to blame, and it doesn't mean Beal played poorly. It just means Beal isn't a top tier superstar who can single-handedly carry a bad team to victory - something that we have known all along.

[payitforward]

...Kuz is having his best year ....

Just a side comment -- Kuz is certainly NOT having his best year. & it's not even close. He isn't nearly as good as he was last year. & last year he wasn't quite as good as he was his last year in LA.

Kuz is a well-below average scorer for a 4. This year, his TS% is a little bit up from last year -- from .546 to .551. That's on @ a 15% jump in usage.

Before you respond, "that's good," please recall that the average this year for an NBA 4 is .587. That's average, not good.

Good only starts when you're better than average. & when a guy who is below average shoots more, he is hurting your team's chances to win game. Hurting not helping. Compared to an average player at his position, he lowers the teams chance of turning a possession into points.

Then there is the other half -- actually getting possessions & taking them to the point where you actually get a chance to score (i.e. take a shot).

In this too, Kuz is way worse than an average 4. Add up his steals & offensive boards & subtract his turnovers. The result per 40 minutes is -1.33. The average 40 minute result for an NBA PF this year is +.75.

In both these areas, Kuz was better last year than this.

[Kanyewest]

Kuzma's TS% was at one point 57% now it has fallen. I believe he was shooting close to 37% from 3- now he's shooting 31% from 3.

[FAH1223]

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Ignorance is bliss.

Just call the Wizards front office blissful.

[Frichuela]

Ignorance is bliss.

Just call the Wizards front office blissful.

So true. Watch Turd and Tommy over pay for Kuzma in the off-season: $130mm/4 years here we come

[Frichuela]

What a competent organization would do is sell high and trade Kuzma before the trade deadline…but Turd and Tommy ain’t that competent..