NBA young stud Kyle Kuzma was once the focal point of the Lakers. After his first two seasons in the league, in which he averaged 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 45% shooting, he was hailed as a core member of the Purple and Gold, and fans quickly gravitated to his electric personality and promising potential on the court.
But over the past few seasons, the 2021 campaign most recently, Kuzma hasn’t exactly impressed the basketball world. Inconsistency has taken over, and much of Lakers Nation has lost faith that Kuzma could blossom into that third star many were hoping he’d become.
Over the past few months, the young forward has been the subject of countless trade rumors, and all of them with varying degrees of plausibility.
Eventually, Kuzma was traded to D.C. as part of the trade that brought Westbrook to L.A. But, according to Kuzma, he was convinced that he’d end up in Sacramento before it was all said and done.
(via Fubo Sports)
“I was kinda shocked because I thought I was going to Sac. [The trade for] Buddy Hield, that sh*t was done. I’m thinking in my head ‘Okay, well, I’m in Sac’–45-minute flight, not bad. But then out of nowhere, it goes ‘you’re going to Washington,’” Kuzma explained.
I was super-hyped, obviously, because it’s a better situation. Going to Sacramento would’ve been fun, I would’ve went crazy for sure. But to have the opportunity to play with Brad Beal–someone that is trying to really be a winner in this league–is just the perfect opportunity,” the former Lakers rising star added.
Kuzma thought he was getting traded to Sacramento 👀
(via @fuboSports) https://t.co/HwB1jE739k
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 6, 2021
Kuz would have been a great fit in Sacramento. As a young star with plenty of offensive talent, he could have helped De’Aaron Fox elevate the Kings to new heights in the West.
Of course, his new gig in Washington isn’t so bad, either. With the Wizards, he’ll get the chance to start fresh in a franchise with nothing to lose.
Still, it’s kind of crazy how things played out. It wasn’t long ago that Kuz was considered part of L.A’s future.
Now, he’s going to be playing alongside Bradley Beal in D.C.
