(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
It is a new era for the Washington Wizards, as they have hit the proverbial reset button while hoping they will build a winner over the next several years.
Rui Hachimura, Bradley Beal, and Kristaps Porzingis are out, but one key contributor and arguably their best player now is remaining put.
On Friday, forward Kyle Kuzma agreed to a four-year deal that will be worth $102 million to stay with Washington, and he will apparently be the centerpiece of the team moving forward.
Free agent F Kyle Kuzma has agreed on a four-year, $102M deal to return to the Washington Wizards, co-head of @CAA_Basketball Austin Brown tells ESPN. Kuzma took a shorter deal with Lakers three years ago — and now cashes in after a career-year with Wizards. pic.twitter.com/Ox7TQDcb6z
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2023
Kuzma is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 21.2 points a game, and at age 27, he may still have a bit of room for improvement.
A few years ago, he had a reputation as an offense-only player, but since then, he has improved his defense, rebounding, and passing.
Fans seem happy for Kuzma cashing in on the improvements he has made over the last few years.
Kuzma got the bag good for him
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) June 30, 2023
A couple of fans feel Kuzma will spend a lot of his new money on outlandish outfits.
Kuzma spending 20% of this on Walk-in outfits alone
— Atomic (@AtomicOVO) June 30, 2023
$100 million dollar man pic.twitter.com/5uLfccWjPf
— ESPN630 DC (@espn630dc) June 30, 2023
This fan feels like Kuzma wanted to be able to spread his wings rather than take a somewhat diminished role on a winning team.
Kuzma wants the chance to be the guy.. I knew this was gonna happen when others kept thinking he was gonna leave.. Poole and Kuzma may be a solid tandem together
— Digital Media Personality/Host (@TheEMillioEgBar) June 30, 2023
The forward played his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was forced to go from being a starter to a bench player during the 2019-20 season when they traded for Anthony Davis.
They won the NBA championship that year, but Kuzma seemed like an awkward fit since he isn’t a great 3-pointer.
Now, he will be the Wizards’ featured player, along with Jordan Poole, who they recently acquired from the Golden State Warriors.
The post Fans React To Today’s Kyle Kuzma News appeared first on The Cold Wire.