Normally, when a pro athlete hits free agency, he is looking to secure the biggest, most lucrative contract he can find.
But free agency isn’t only about the Benjamins — it’s also about players getting a chance to maximize their talent and play on a winning team.
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma will be a free agent this summer, and he says the decision he will make won’t be about money, as he will get a lot of money no matter which team he chooses.
Kyle Kuzma on free agency this summer: “It’s not about money, I’m going to get paid regardless anywhere [I go] and here [in D.C.], too. It’s about can I come into work everyday and be the best version of myself.”
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) April 8, 2023
This fan wondered what Kuzma meant when he said “be the best version of himself.”
Interesting statement… be himself? That can viewed numerous ways… be himself as far as being thee guy or #2… or personality wise? Freedom to express himself outside of the organization?
— Taj Wilson (@tajwilson414) April 8, 2023
These fans think he is definitely headed elsewhere.
he’s gone lol
— dats cap (@WhoManz21) April 8, 2023
he gone #tradebeal #bum3 #selltheteamted #WUJwasracistagainstRuiHachimura
— LeastToxicWizFan (@LToxicWizFan) April 8, 2023
But this fan thinks Kuzma will stay in the nation’s capital, unless he’s being sarcastic.
Yeah he’ll be back
— Deonta (@D_for_3) April 8, 2023
As the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Kuzma first dazzled fans as a rookie, when he averaged 16.1 points a game for the Los Angeles Lakers and was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
This season, he has had his best year yet, putting up 21.2 points a game, which is a career-high.
Kuzma was mostly an offensive-only player as a rookie, but over the last few years, he has improved his defense, rebounding and passing, and he is also averaging 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists a contest this year.
The Wizards are seemingly stuck in neutral, as they will not participate in the play-in tournament this year, and they will have to decide whether to invest a lot of money in Kuzma or use those resources to acquire a more useful piece to the puzzle.
