This wasn’t to argue that we need to keep Kuz no matter what. This was to say all the hate i see around here is undeserved because in reality, he’s pretty good. The perception that those 3 other players from Kuz’s draft class are leagues better than him simply isn’t true. I’m also not advocating we pay him the full rookie max, but he is on this team until further notice, so he still has a chance to make his play undeniable because his play is already a lot better than some people’s perception of it. Do I think it’s likely? No, because like you said, he’s in a different situation surrounded by the talent on this team.... he probably won’t get the touches or play time, but he can still convince us. He does have the talent and potential skill. That’s why Rob hasn’t traded him yet IMO.
I think we can both agree that Rob is a few things: always prepared, very aggressive, and one of the sharpest executives in the league. That said, I wouldn't mind signing Kuz to a longer-term-deal. The reason: we can always move his contract. He needs a big year, and I don't know if he gets that opportunity here...I'm rooting for him, though.
Kuzma is an interesting case. In the 9 games he started last year he averaged almost 20 a game (I think AD/Bron were gone in most of those games). He does do well in a bigger role but he also is a high usage guy who needs a lot of touches/dribbles to get those points. He will at best the 3rd option on the floor this year whether he's with the starters or the bench. It's on him to adjust. Last year was the perfect time to really spread his wings but I don't think he/Rondo's games meshed well either. He has the tools to address what our teams need but as currently constructed I don't think we can optimize him. But it's good to have Kuz in the backpocket if we need to get give AD/Bron some rest. He has already shown he can put up points on the board if those guys have to take games off. This is where he will be valuable
Which honestly they should with the quick turnaround. I’m hoping his young legs and resting LeBron and AD help him show out early in the season
Comparing Kuz to the other three in the graphic: I get those that see Kuz as the 4th best among them. But, as you showed in a quick stat comparison the gap between Kuz and Tatum is more reputation than reality. I think Tatum is better, but not by much. The only one of the four that is clearly better IMO is Mitchell. What he did in the showdown with Murray this last playoff was jaw dropping.
Aren't weird clown clothes the very definition of styling around the NBA though? All the players who are supposed to be into fashion dress like idiots, or at least it seems so. Back on topic - IMO Kuz has a role on this team and he can be very valuable in some matchups and in certain circumstances (for example when we want to load manage one of the big dogs). I hope the Lakers are not the team to give him the money he'll probably demand next season.
What is Kyle's market value? I look at what Jordan Clarkson just got at 4 years $52 million - I think Kuz could have more value defensively with respect to his size. Is he worth $14-15 million? Too much? What do you guys think?
I think it's hard to tell right now? I can't gauge it at this point. I don't think the market is quite that high for him but then again look at all the FA signings this year. Guys like Bertrans, Harris, Bogdanovich, Grant . . . those guys are making 15-20 million per. Kind of insane. Hard pressed I'd say more like 12-15 but maybe that's too high.
as lakerjones said above, players with similar resumes are netting more, but they can all really shoot, which is at a premium right now. so, yeah, in that 12-15 million per range. if we extended him at that price, we'd be able to move him if we had to (barring injury, of course).
Ok, cool. Let's just say we sign him for $14 million. You add in KCP's contract (third year is only partially guaranteed per Shams), you now have enough salary to send out in a potential trade Just sayin...I'm not advocating it. Just suggesting...
right. disgruntled overpaid vet with something left in tank (think your derozan types) might return for that. and when you've got stars in the fold, those guys can help. but again, you could also keep them and have them produce about where they have been and...win a title.
Great player to have on a budget. Cost control, RFA rights next year, and a tremendous trade chip. What’s not to like?
I was interested how Caruso’s stats compare to Kuzma’s for salary evaluation. AC shoots better from 3 (33.3 vs 31.6) same from free throws, worse from 2 (41.2 vs. 43.6), more steals (1.1 vs. .05) less turnovers (.8 vs 1.5) less personal fouls and more assists. Kuz gets more rebounds and 1 more free throw attempt. I think most people agree Caruso can’t shoot worth a crap but Kuzma percentages are not that much better. Caruso’s defense is much better then Kuzma’s even with his improvement this year. So how much is Caruso’s next contract in comparison to Kuzma’s?
We won’t pay him much on account of his age and ethnicity. you just can’t justify the financial risk of spending big money on middle aged white dudes.
The one knock I have on Caruso is his willingness to shoot. No he doesn’t need to score to be effective, but if he were ever going to be a starting guard on this team he’d have to start to look for his shot more. It’s not a bad shot, but there is something a little odd about it, when it goes in it often goes in at a weird angle. Like it kind of spins in from the sides rather than swish through, which tells me he’s putting weird side spin on it he may need to correct to become a more consistent shooter. And to be fair to Kuz on the 3 point percentages, it’s a very small sample size for Caruso, something more like he makes .something out of 1.something per game, where Kuz makes 1.something to 2 out of 5 per game. I’m still more confident in Kuz shooting a 3 than Caruso because he’s comfortable taking more. The money thing if we decide to give him an extension is very tricky though, if he has a very consistent season he likely earns what Clarkson got in his first extension from us. I don’t know if that would be good enough for him, but I also don’t know if another team would be willing to pay more, he has definitely improved in areas like his defense and he’s been willing to take on a role of catch and shoot and cutting to the hoop, but he’s also had stretches where he doesn’t seem to have much of an effect on the game or can’t hit a 3 to save his life. I’m still glad he’s on the roster to start the season, as I’ve said before I never wanted to trade him for the sake of it. I just thought he was our only piece teams would want and that could land us a decent player because he’s still relatively young and improving overall. I had no idea Green and the pick alone could get a player like Schroeder. Now based on our moves he becomes maybe even more important than last season, he’s our best option currently at the backup SF position and I don’t see anyone left to sign that jumps over him either.
I don’t want to get too far off topic comparing Kuz and Caruso. I agree with you on that Caruso definitely needs to stop passing up the open shots. Caruso takes 1.9 attempts and Kuz takes 4.5 attempts from 3 a game. If anything Kuz should be making a higher percentage from 3 not less then Eagle because he’s shooting 5 a game. That should enough to get into a rhythm vs putting up 2 a game.
