Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma told The Washington Post earlier this week that he intends to reach free agency in 2023 rather than signing an extension during the season or picking up his player option for 2023/24. In a conversation with Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Kuzma explained in more detail why he doesn’t expect to sign an in-season extension with Washington.
“It’s not a smart business move,” Kuzma said. “The max I can make if I sign right now is $15 (million). If you look at the market, that’s not market price.”
Technically, Kuzma could get a starting salary of $15.6MM on an extension with the Wizards and could earn about $17.5MM annually over four seasons. But that still may end up being below his value on the open market, given his production so far this season. He has averaged 21.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 3.5 APG in 29 games (35.1 MPG).
With Kuzma on track to become a free agent and his future in D.C. uncertain, it’s possible the Wizards will consider trading him before this February’s deadline — he has reportedly been drawing interest. The 27-year-old told McMenamin that the Wizards have “made it clear that they value me,” but acknowledged that the NBA is business, adding that “everybody in this league is tradable.”
McMenamin notes that Pacers center Myles Turner spoke openly to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on a podcast about a possible trade to the Lakers and said L.A. should take a “hard look” at it. However, Kuzma said he doesn’t plan to push for a trade to his former team or anywhere else.
“I definitely could (lobby for a trade). But that’s very immature,” Kuzma said. “I’m not a really immature person. I like to do business in a professional way. So, I would never do that.”
Kuzma went on to say that he values the time he spent with the Lakers earlier in this career and still frequently watches his old teammates on television when he can, but he’s not expecting to be dealt back to Los Angeles this season.
“I haven’t heard anything,” Kuzma said when asked by McMenamin about a possible trade. “The Wizards love me. It’s going to be really tough to do. Do the Lakers have anything (to make a deal)?”
Here’s more from Kuzma, who also spoke to Melissa Rohlin of FoxSports.com about his current situation in Washington and his Lakers history:
On why playing behind two superstars (LeBron James and Anthony Davis) in Los Angeles was a “double-edged sword”:
“I believe that it was some of the best things to ever happen to me, you know, getting drafted, being a Laker, having that platform. Having millions and millions of people globally know who you are, that’s a blessing. That’s part of being a Laker. Learning from LeBron, winning a championship — it’s all been great.
“But at the same time, I always look back and wish I would’ve gotten the fairer end of the stick a little bit, just with my role and how much I sacrificed. It’s cool to sacrifice. That’s the only way you win championships, everybody has to sacrifice. But, just getting the fairer end of the stick, I feel like I never really got (that). But everything happens for a reason. I’m here now (in Washington), and I’ve been able to expand my game and flourish.”
On why he feels like he didn’t get the “fair end of the stick” with the Lakers:
“In the position I was in, it was tough being that little bro on the team. One night, you might get 10 shots. The next night, maybe they just need you to rebound. The next night, you might get 15 minutes. The next night, you might get 29 (minutes). You never know. That’s (not getting) the fair end of the stick.
” … When I was in the moment and I was young, (I was) frustrated a lot of nights because, man, I really want this. I really want this. Everybody who knows me knows I’m really competitive. I really love basketball. A lot of nights it bothered me that I never got the chance to do what I’m doing now, play me.”
On why the trade to the Wizards has ultimately been the best thing for his career, despite the team’s struggles:
“I needed this. This move here has been so instrumental in my life, just being more mature. I love basketball, but I love it even more now. I love my craft, I love getting in the gym every single day. Being in the gym, being in this type of situation — seeing how good I can become has made me be really obsessive with trying to improve and better myself.”
The Wizards obviously have to trade kuzma. There’s no way a team will have this information and let him walk this summer would they?
Let the bidding begin.
I’m not sure about the short end of the stick claim.
If you’re a young guy on a great team they will still recognize your skill talent and ability. You will still get paid either by your current team or they will not be able to afford you and trade you or watch you sign a lucrative restricted free agent contract that they won’t match.
There’s no short end.., if you’re good everyone knows it. You’ll get paid.
What happened with kuzma was exactly one of the options. He was traded and now he’s going to get paid. No short end of any stick at all.
Kuzma’s situation is why (real) free agency is disappearing, at least for any high end player younger than 32 or so.
I interpret his statements as saying he’d likely sign with WSH now, if he could do so for his perceived market value. He can’t, so he’ll settle for being a free agent. If the rules capping the amount of an extension below market value must be implicated to create a free agent, there won’t be many free agents, and there won’t be any long term stars. These rules come into play only when a player substantially outperforms his existing contract.
Sounds like he will be looking for a 1 year deal on a team he is a primary scorer so he can get the big contract he wants.
The Knicks have the most to offer. A Kuzma, Barret and Brunson trifecta would be hard to match for teams.
They’d be the best 9th seed in nba history
Lol
Barrett is mediocre. The Knicks are irrelevant. Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas.
Doubt it… Thibs will still be the coach… Lots of nights off due to thr high minutes for that big 3…
Why is this guy getting interviewed? His team has lost 10 straight smh. President/GMs are definitely seeing through the BS & I doubt anybody will give him more than 20M a year.
Because he “was” a Laker…