Before the Los Angeles Lakers made the blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards to land former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, the team was as close as it gets to landing Buddy Hield from the Sacramento Kings. Details have been emerging about just how close the Hield swap was to happen.
In a recent comment, Kyle Kuzma made it clear that he was ‘shocked’ to end up being traded to the Wizards. He fully expected to land with the Kings in part of a trade that would send Buddy Hield to the Lakers.
“I was kinda shocked because I thought I was going to Sac,” Kuzma said on No Chill With Gilbert Arenas. “[The trade for] Buddy Hield, that sh*t was done. I’m thinking in my head, ‘Okay, well, I’m in Sac’–45-minute flight, not bad. But then, out of nowhere, it goes, ‘you’re going to Washington.”
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Kuzma made it clear that he was ‘super-hyped when he found out he was being sent to the Wizards. However, he feels as though it would have been ‘fun’ to have ended up with the Sacramento Kings, too, as he originally expected to happen.
“I was super-hyped, obviously, because it’s a better situation. Going to Sacramento would’ve been fun; I would’ve went crazy for sure. But to have the opportunity to play with Brad Beal–someone that is trying to really be a winner in this league–is just the perfect opportunity,” the former Lakers rising star added.
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Kyle Kuzma will be needed to make a significant impact for the Wizards to win at a suitable level to keep Bradley Beal satisfied with the organization.
Kuzma’s situation with the Washington Wizards is not free of competition, at least for the next few years if it takes time to develop. Corey Kispert was selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Rui Hachimura has held down the four spot, and Deni Avdija also is in the mix.
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