Kyle Kuzma doesn’t want to fit into the Wizards’ plans

Hernia Kuzma’s tenure with the Washington Wizards reached the breaking point. What will the front office do as February 6 NBA trade deadline approaches?

That is the question more urgent now following the 29-year-old’s comments after Saturday night’s game, via Josh Robbins of Athletic.

“I think today I decided to be myself and not just try to fit in with everything we’re doing here, but play in the moment,” Kuzma said. “I think my mom helped me with that.” I saw her today.”

Kuzma had his best game of the year in a 119-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns (23-21), as his 30 points (12-of-24 FG, 5-of-9 3P) was a season high, while his 11 rebounds tied his season high. The former NBA champion also added four assists in 34 minutes.

Kuzma mentioning his mother Kari Kuzma was noted for retweeting a report by Marc Stein on Dec. 28 that Washington was exploring trade options for her son. Stein also mentioned that the former NBA champion was ready to move on after a rough start to the Wizards’ season.

“I’m going to sit this right here,” she said in a tweet of the quote.

On Saturday, Kuzma himself made comments that raised eyebrows.

“I just think we’re not trying to fit into what we’re trying to do here,” the former Los Angeles Laker clarified. “Just being more assertive, demanding the ball and not just going out there and trying to let people develop.” I’m just playing my game.”

Kuzma’s comments are ironic considering he asked Washington’s front office not to trade him when he received an offer from the Dallas Mavericks last season. Just a year later, the Utah alum has lost interest in what the Wizards (6-38) are “trying to do,” which is develop their young players instead of winning for now.

Where does Washington go from here?

Kyle Kuzma-Wizards marriage has run its course

Kuzma said in February 2024 that he wanted to stay in the nation’s capital and “make something,” via Robbins. However, the difficulties of doing so may have dogged the eight-year veteran ever since.

That’s understandable, since Kuzma’s timeline doesn’t quite align with Washington’s. The Wizards are poised to land another big lottery pick in the 2025 draft to add to a young core of Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Keyshawn George. This requires forfeiting most of their games for now as they give those players a lot of minutes, snaps and reps on the ball.

As a result, Kuzma played mostly off the ball and is tired of being held back.

“I think I tried to fit in,” the former first-team All-NBA pick said. “I think I’ve tried to help the young guys build their confidence and do their thing.” I think today was the hardest I’ve been all year.”

Carrington’s a recent comment about Kuzma shows that this latter prankster really paid.

“Cuz told me to study the tendencies of the quarterbacks in the early and late quarters,” the 19-year-old said after practice on Jan. 15. “It helps because most of the guys are rhythm guys who do the same thing over and over…it gives you an edge in guarding them.”

While Kuzma has invested in youth, he also acknowledged that his aggressiveness on the court can get in the way.

“Sometimes,” he said. “Sometimes, just because there are certain positions on the floor where we run games. Probably (in) past years, I might have been on the team, you know?

Kuzma handled the ball a lot more for Washington in previous seasons, but that role fell primarily to Jordan Poole and Koulibaly this season. That left the former All-Pac 12 first-team honoree in an awkward position.

When the Lakers traded Kuzma to the Wizards in 2021, it gave him a chance to start regularly after winning a title as a rookie in ’20. Of course, he posted career bests, culminating in a personal-best 22.2 points on 46.3% shooting with 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 32.6 minutes per game last year.

However, the team’s record fell to 15-67 after the new regime traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis for long-term assets. This year, Washington is on pace for an even worse finish.

A roster overhaul was necessary for the Wizards, as their previous team had no chance to win a title. Now they could eventually become permanent at the top if their rebuild goes well.

That will take a few years, though, and Kuzma’s contract expires in the summer of 2027. At this point, it makes more sense for him to be a contender role player again.

Washington may have gotten a better return for Kuzma last season, as he had a down year amid an injury-riddled campaign. He’s averaging 14.6 points on 42.3% shooting with 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 27.7 minutes, his worst performance since arriving in D.C. Regardless, it’s hard to see way forward with the current setting.

At this point, it might be best for both parties to have the exchange done by February 6th. The Wizards could trade Kuzma for draft capital and/or a young player, and he could get a chance to play playoff basketball in 2025.