Kyle Kuzma Discussion: Wizard

First I’m becoming aware of 2 knee injuries already (don’t closely follow other teams), from Slick’s post. Both knees or same knee and what kind/severity of injuries are we talking about at his young age? You being the big “availability” and anti injury prone players Guy you are …. this doesn’t concern you much? Honest questions.

 

i would argue that a mobile 6'9" guy is the type that fits with almost any lineup, wouldn't you?

the problem with kuz is, i guess, that he plays the 3/4, and our two best players play those spots primarily. so yes, downgrading from kuz (to a harkless type) while upgrading elsewhere probably makes sense. i just am not seeing the clear fit.

i'm sure rob will be all over the scenarios, though. i think so much hinges on what happens with schroder. does he just walk? if not, what is he moved for? another guard? if not, then i think kuz goes on the block for a competent guard. how about corey joseph and a 1st, for example?

 

i don't think deng's deal affects us in any way? it's 5 million, and we aren't really close to being under the cap, nor is there anyone worth pursuing with cap space this year, really (if it means gutting the team).

if we plan on contending next year, we have to pay AC and THT and probably a couple more guys on multi-year deals, so that 5 million does nothing next year, either. it hurt us a couple years ago when we had space and it was eating up some of it, though. right now, it's just a luxury tax annoyance for ownership.

 

Based on his physical profile, he SHOULD fit anywhere. His game just doesn't translate as well as I'd hope at times and he doesn't adjust his play with who's on the court next to him. If Bron isn't there to find him cutting and AD or Drumm take away his lanes to crash the glass and the J isn't there then he might as well sit down. Hopefully we find a better passer, based on Rob's comments in the exit interview that seems to be a priority. .

Yeah, sometimes fit > talent is the way to go, especially if his best fit is at your two strongest positions with the fewest available minutes.

Agreed a lot of depending on DS and how that unfolds. If we can move him for a better fit and/or try to swing something with KCP/Kuz going out. If we bring DS back, do we field calls for AC/THT in S&Ts. I can't see us being able to keep all 3 unless we dump KCP for pick or someone on a rookie deal.

 

is a THT sign and trade possible? the arenas provision only kicks in upon an offer from someone else, right? otherwise, our contract with THT is limited by early bird rights, which i think limits us to an offer starting at 8 million per with standard raises for THT? maybe a capologist can correct me there.

in other words, i don't see how a s&t is palatable to THT, who stands to make more money fielding a poison pill RFA offer.

 

The quote from the agent who's the source on this

 

if he was consistent, we'd be paying him double, tbh. that's what you get for a smidge over MLE, imo. but again, i'm fine with upgrading if possible.

 

That report just restates what we already know. Lakers will try to package guys to add a 3rd star caliber player to support Lebron and AD, but don't need to dump Kuz just for the sake of trading him.

 

Good.

 

Read the replies, most of the fans who have been patient with him growing tired, etc.

Just make sure it's the right deal and send his a** out.

 

Not a secret at this point. I think Kuzma will be gone by the deadline next year for sure, but probably this summer.

 

yes, let's listen to fans, lavar. they always have it right.

 

averages and consistency are different things, right? we can discuss either. we pay him 1 million per point and lebron 1.25 million per point. not trying to be a jerk, but just pointing out that i don't think it's a good metric.

if you want to point at advanced stats and say "he's an average nba player", i'd agree. and he's paid a slightly above average nba salary. moreover, he's literally proven he can put up 18-20ppg if necessary (and if you want to lose but sell tickets).

my consistency comment was in response to the sense that people want him to put up his best numbers every night. well, that's a near-max player. ain't happening at that price point.

i actually think he's growing into the right role here, and if he gets sent somewhere to go back to being rookie kuz, it will be bad for everyone (except us if we got a good player in return).

just feel like there's a lot of emotion around excising kuz. yes, he's a vestige of the dark times, but we won a ring with him playing a substantial role. actively dumping is dumb, imo.

 

Consistency does not mean putting monster numbers every game. If kuz gives us 14-16 points a game consistently, I would be good with that. Not 24 one game and the 2 the next game. That is the problem with him.

 

i wonder if players are as consistent as people think. i'm too lazy, but with access to basic game log data, we could easily calculate within-player variation. my guess is that it's greater than most people think, and that the concept of someone giving you 14 points each night is something we have mostly made up, and that for someone averaging 12 points, you're going to see some bouncing around. as scoring average increases, obviously, variability will decrease (you can't average 30 and put up 6 points very often). but for players down in the 10ppg range, that variation is probably about kuz's is my guess.
in other words, as i intimated above, people asking for "consistency" are really asking for "a better player". which would be great. and would take trading kuz and other things we like. which may not be as great, depending on specifics.

edit: not too lazy to make one random comparison:


Both of these players average about 12.5ppg. Both play off the bench on western conference playoff teams. both are forwards. one is kuz. which one?