Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma had his best game of 2024/25 on Saturday in Phoenix, registering season highs in points (30) and rebounds (11) as Washington outscored the Suns by four points during his 34 minutes of action.
After the game, he told reporters, including Josh Robbins of The Athletic and Varun Shankar of The Washington Post, that a change in mindset fueled his big night.
“I think today I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we’re doing here, and just really played in the moment,” Kuzma said.
Asked what he meant by playing “in the moment” and not trying to fit in, Kuzma continued, “I mean just not trying to fit into what we’re trying to do here. Just being more assertive, demanding the ball, not just going out there and trying to let people develop. Just playing my game.”
Kuzma is in the midst of arguably his worst season since he entered the NBA in 2017 — even after Saturday’s big night, his scoring average (14.6 points per game) is well below his career rate, and his shooting percentages of 42.3% on field goal tries and 28.0% on three-pointers are career lows. He has also battled injuries, appearing in just 27 of Washington’s 44 games so far.
Kuzma’s down year has coincided with an increased push from the Wizards to develop their young prospects, including second-year forward Bilal Coulibaly and rookies Alex Sarr, Carlton Carrington, and Kyshawn George. As a result, Kuzma has taken a step back in the offensive game plan, averaging just 13.7 field goal attempts per game, his lowest mark since arriving in D.C. On Saturday, he took 24 shots from the field.
“I think I’ve tried to fit in,” Kuzma said, per Robbins, when asked if he’s been “holding back” this season. “I think I’ve tried to help the young guys build confidence and do their thing. I think (Saturday) I was just really the most assertive I’ve been all year.”
Kuzma added that it “sometimes” feels as if being assertive and helping the Wizards’ young players develop are mutually exclusive goals.
“Only because there’s certain positions on the floor where we run plays,” he said. “Probably (in) past years, I might have been in those, you know?”
Increased usage for Kuzma could cut into the opportunities Washington’s youngsters are getting, but Robbins notes that those young Wizards still got their fair share of shot attempts on Saturday, with Coulibaly, Sarr, Carrington, and George combining to go 15-of-34. Shankar also points out that Kuzma taking on more offensive responsibilities could reduce the fatigue that the Wizards’ rookies are experiencing in the midst of their first 82-game season.
Of course, it’s also possible that balancing aggression with mentorship isn’t an issue Kuzma will have to deal with for much longer. He’s considered a candidate to be traded before next Thursday’s deadline — in that scenario, he’d likely end up on a playoff team not as concerned with player development. Still, he has two more years left on his contract after this season and his decline in production will reduce his appeal on the trade market, so the Wizards may choose to hang onto him for now.
According to Robbins, when asked on Saturday whether he intends to continue being aggressive going forward or resume trying to “fit in,” Kuzma considered the question for a moment, then replied, “Aggressive. Yeah, aggressive now.”
Its not like he was good fit on this team as its constructed anyways. Could’ve just come out and plainly said “Please trade me.” But that would be too assertive I guess.
I don’t think he has to say it. I’m sure Washington is already trying to move him as he doesn’t fit the timeline or the current plan. Him becoming more assertive and demanding is a good thing for Washington right now as Kuz getting on a nice little streak of good games may get more teams looking at him before the deadline.
It’s also good for the team in another sense. As shown by the Sixers “Process” Era, if you bring players into an environment where the only thing that matters is losing, not accountability, availability, or anything else, they’ll carry that toxic mindset forward even when the team is better. Veterans and rotation guys showing the young guys how to be assertive and take the lead when the opportunity presents itself matters a lot. The Pistons got that out of Jerami Grant and Bojan Bogdanovic, and still have some with Hardaway, Beasley, and even Harris. The Cavs got it out of Jarrett Allen, Ricky Rubio, and Kevin Love. Houston got it from VanVleet and Brooks (who also cleaned up the worst of his act). If the Wizards can get some of that out of guys like Kuzma, Kispert, Valancunias and others, so much the better.
Oh he definitely doesn’t have to say it, but when you say, “I mean just not trying to fit into what we’re trying to do here. Just being more assertive, demanding the ball, not just going out there and trying to let people develop. Just playing my game.” you’re really just saying I don’t want to be a part of the team and I don’t want to help young guys improve. He’d be better off just saying hey I was playing more aggressive and I had a good night and just left it at that.
Interesting point of view considering he declined a trade to the Mavs last season. Not much has changed between then and now
Kuzma is not a difference maker. If he was, teams would have already traded for him. Only scrap teams like the Brooklyn Nets would even consider him.
He would’ve went to the Mavs last season if he had agreed to the trade.
Bro they are tanking for your replacement. You’re showcasing for a new team, but need to lose.
Kyle Kuzma got the fat contract he wanted in free agency. Finished the job of getting his entire body tattooed, and then proceeded to just go through the motions and collect checks. Now he wants to be taken seriously as a basketball player again.
His agent must think if the balls out on a scrub team hell get an extension
Think of it as a reunion tour for an old band. He just realized he needs more money lol
Kuzma should start telling the media that he thinks he is versatile enough to play center. Perhaps he could convince the Lakers that he is the Hail Mary pass they are looking for. Getting a chance to put the Laker jersey on again would probably be the only thing to motivate Kuzma enough to look like the guy who got the fat contract in the first place.
Kuzma is a decent piece to add. His contract is not horrible. For a playoff team. Strength by addition, numbers. Kuzma has never won.
If Cavs can’t get C Johnson. Kuzma would suffice.
Kuzma was on the Lakers 2020 title team. He was their 6th man, more or less. Good versus Houston and Denver, bad versus Portland and Miami.
I’m reading between the lines. He just low-key asked to be traded.
Kings offer Monk, Huerter, Lyles, Carter, Jones, Len and picks to Washington for Poole, Kuzma, Gill and Jonas Valancuinas
He doesn’t care about winning, he’s fitting right into wiz culture!
Bit of a random one but
Kuzma and Brogdan for Beal and 2 firsts
Kuz I could see fitting in with Booker and KD both on and off the court. Think he suits that third best player on a contender role rather than first or second best player on a bad team. Brogdan also would be a nice player to bring off the bench if he can stay healthy.
It would cost them a couple first round picks but then Brogdan would leave in FA and give them a little more flexibility with the cap situation.
Jones Booker Kuzma KD Richards
Looks a lot better moving forward
Then for depth Brogdan Allen Dunn ONeale Plumblee, and whatever you can get for Nurkic
Wonder if management told him to be more aggressive to up his trade value? Might as well with only a little over a week left. Then again I doubt management would appreciate the way he worded things lol.
Kuzma has always been an intriguing player…
Not quite star, but decent 6th man level player… Can light it up… But not a leader… Needs a strong vet to show the way…