“There was a time when Dallas really wanted me. President Michael Winger, who didn’t want to transfer me, came with the offer and kind of let me make the decision. He asked me what I wanted and I said I wanted to stay and build something here. That’s how it ended. » This is how Kyle Kuzma recounted, in February 2024, his refusal to be transferred last season.
The Washington player then judged that the Mavericks were not credible candidates for the title. They will prove him wrong, going all the way to the Finals, while having recruited very well before the deadline, bringing in Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington.
Later, before the start of the season and to once again justify his refusal, which he did not regret, he believed that the Wizards were going in the right direction. Here again, he was betrayed by his flair: three months later, Washington has the worst record in the league with only 6 victories for 35 defeats…
If the opportunity to leave the ship, which is sinking ever more with 10 defeats in a row, presented itself again, would Kyle Kuzma have the same attitude, the same certainty as last year?
“We’ll see how things go. I don’t know “he responds first. “I think last season was the right time to stay after extending. It was mostly a question of timing. We didn’t talk about that, nor the deadline, nor a transfer. This is really the first time I’ve talked about it. »
Weighed down by injuries, he only experienced victory twice…
By indicating that his decision last season remains limited to last year, we can imagine that the inside of the Wizards would not be against finding a way out.
-He only has two years left on his contract and $40 million to earn. There is no doubt that some teams will be interested, even if his performances this season are very average, notably because of injuries.
“He was in rhythm at the start and got injured against Atlanta”remembers his coach Brian Keefe. “Then he came back fine and got hurt again, missing almost a month. When he plays, he is efficient, does what is asked of him. Injuries ruined his rhythm. »
The 2020 NBA champion with the Lakers is only averaging 14.4 points, his worst season since he was in Washington, with only 25% 3-point success after 24 matches played (including 22 defeats…) .
“It’s always complicated. This is the first time in my career that I have been injured like this. It’s frustrating but I have to move past it. I’m here, I’m playing matches one after the other and I’m trying to stay in the moment.”he concludes.
| Kyle Kuzma | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 77 | 31 | 45.0 | 36.6 | 70.7 | 1.1 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 16.1 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 70 | 33 | 45.6 | 30.3 | 75.2 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 18.7 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 61 | 25 | 43.6 | 31.6 | 73.5 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 12.8 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 68 | 29 | 44.3 | 36.1 | 69.1 | 1.6 | 4.5 | 6.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 12.9 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 66 | 33 | 45.2 | 34.1 | 71.2 | 1.1 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 17.1 |
| 2022-23 | WAS | 64 | 35 | 44.8 | 33.3 | 73.0 | 0.9 | 6.4 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 21.2 |
| 2023-24 | WAS | 70 | 33 | 46.3 | 33.6 | 77.5 | 0.9 | 5.7 | 6.6 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 22.2 |
| 2024-25 | WAS | 23 | 27 | 43.6 | 26.5 | 56.9 | 0.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 14.4 |
| Total | 498 | 31 | 45.0 | 33.4 | 72.6 | 1.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 17.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
