Kuz Control
As I understand it, the Washington Wizards try to play selflessly on the court, valuing the team’s success over the individual. I respect and appreciate that strategy, but I know myself well enough to know that I can be a selfish and competitive fan, and those feelings motivate this article.
So as a selfish Wizards fan, it’s important to me that we invest in one specific individual to stay competitive.
Kyle Kuzma (33) in the Wizards’ city edition cherry blossom jerseys | G Flume /Getty Images
In other words, I understand that other teams are interested in trading for Kyle Kuzma (PF), and I understand why the Wizards are apparently fielding offers for him, but that doesn’t mean I have to agree with it. I can’t fault the Atlanta Hawks or Phoenix Suns for being interested in Kuzma. He would be an asset on any team he plays for, but with all due respect, the Wizards simply need him more.
The Wizards are in dire need of direction, leadership, and consistency, and they’re most likely to find that in Kuz.
The Wizards are on a four-game losing streak, despite the fact that their most recent game (a loss to the Chicago Bulls 115-111) was decent, and are once again at the beginning of a series of games without Bradley Beal (SG).
The entire roster has stepped up in Beal’s repeated absence, both out of necessity and because there are more opportunities to handle offensive challenges, but Kuzma has emerged as a strong facilitator and scorer.
It’s a wonder why the Wizards’ coaching staff doesn’t run the offense through him, especially in the fourth quarter when he really shows up to close or secure a lead. It’s a wonder why he isn’t hailed as our star player.
In the 23 games he’s played this season, Kuz has averaged 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, all of these figures being career highs. However, he’s also someone who looks out for his teammates, which is arguably more important than an impressive stat line. Kuz is someone who, as far as I can tell, wants to be with this team, and his care for his teammates extends beyond playmaking.
For example, Kuz has checked in with and motivated teammates Deni Avdija (SF) and Daniel Gafford (F/C) in light of their recent shooting slumps in a genuine effort to instill confidence in them.
To Avdija, Kuz said, “One, there’s a reason why you’re open, and two, you just have to have confidence.” Simple enough of a message, but the effort to reassure a teammate speaks volumes.
Kuz is putting in more effort to be a good teammate than Beal, if you ask me, especially in light of his recent comments about why he signed a five-year, $251M contract with the Wizards.
In his appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ No Chill podcast, Beal discussed why he re-signed with the Wizards, saying, “On the business side of it, there were no teams in the market. Just free agency-wise. I’m just being frank. There was nowhere else for me to go. Where I can go win. There were teams that strategically wasn’t what I wanted. Realistically, I won’t say my hand was forced, but this was the best option that was on the table.”
I want to be respectful of the fact that Beal has missed more than six games due to injuries and illness and is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, but this is a weird statement to have made regardless and hasn’t given me much confidence in Beal’s leadership.
So whoever, hypothetically, fills Kuzma’s shoes on the roster would need to have a natural affinity for leadership. The Wizards are hoping to get first-round draft picks as part of a potential trade, but I’m not sure if that’s the best decision in the short or long term.
I’m not saying a first-round draft pick won’t make an impact, but it’s worth noting that the Orlando Magic are only 6-20 despite getting the first pick in the most recent draft. It will take more than one pick to right the ship for the Wizards. That’s all I’m saying.
So to reiterate: Kuzma would be an asset on any team, and it makes little to no sense for the Wizards to let him go.
