For the first time in his career, 26-year-old Kyle Kuzma finds himself in unfamiliar territory.
After four seasons in Los Angeles, he was finally traded in 2021, as part of the deal that brought Russell Westbrook to the Lakers.
Naturally, people expected Kuz to drift into obscurity in D.C., as the Wizards have never been known to be a particularly interesting bunch.
This season, however, Kuzma is part of a revival in the nation’s capital, and he couldn’t be happier about where he’s at.
In a recent chat on NBA Today, the young scorer explained why his tenure with the Wizards is exactly the situation he’d been looking for:
“You know it’s very fun, obviously, from an individual standpoint. This is kind of what I wanted: an opportunity to not be in someone’s shadow. I have the opportunity to come in and lead and use my championship mentality and everything I have learned from those two guys out in L.A.”
.@kylekuzma says he’s using what he learned in LA to be a front player for the Wizards 🙌
“This is kind of what I wanted. … An opportunity to not be in someone’s shadows.” pic.twitter.com/eGwNmKEBGn
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 16, 2021
Kuzma, 26, has spent most of his career in the shadow of LeBron James, who signed with the Purple and Gold back in 2018.
It was in a Lakers jersey that he first blossomed into a premier scorer, but it’s as a Laker that he got the most criticism, as he routinely failed to live up to the fans’ expectations.
Now, in D.C., he’s got the chance to grow and develop his game on his own terms, and he has made the most of it.
Shockingly, through 13 games, the Wizards hold one of the NBA’s best records at 10-3 and currently lead the East.
It’s been an inspiring effort that is rallying the Wizards community in waves never seen before.
Kuzma is doing his part, too, putting up a respectable 14.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game on 41.9% shooting.
