Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has decided to decline his $13 million player option for the upcoming season, making him a free agent. However, Kuzma has clarified that this decision was simply an option and does not necessarily mean he will leave the team.
Kuzma has had an exceptional season, averaging a career-high 21.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. This performance has made him one of the most sought-after free agents this summer.
In April, Kuzma expressed his willingness to consider returning to the Wizards, referring to it as his “home.” Prior to joining the Wizards for the 2021-22 season, Kuzma spent four years with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won a championship.
“It’s 100% a choice,” Kuzma stated regarding his decision not to exercise the player option. “I had a great time here (Wizards), my game has improved significantly, there are great people here. I say this not just as a choice, I’m an idiot.”
However, the Wizards have undergone significant changes since the end of the season. The team’s former general manager, Tommy Sheppard, was fired, and Michael Winger, the former general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, has taken over as the president of the team’s management team, Monumental Sports, with the aim of rebuilding the team. Additionally, there have been rumors of Bradley Beal potentially being traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Kuzma was initially selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 draft but was subsequently traded to the Lakers. After the 2020-21 season, he was sent to the Wizards as part of the trade involving Russell Westbrook.
As Kuzma enters free agency, many teams will undoubtedly be vying for his services, given his impressive performance this season. It remains to be seen whether he will ultimately choose to stay with the Wizards or explore other opportunities.
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Article: Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has made the decision to decline his $13 million player option for the upcoming season, making him a free agent. However, Kuzma has clarified that this choice does not necessarily mean he will be leaving the team.
Kuzma had an outstanding season, achieving a career-high average of 21.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. His exceptional performance has made him one of the most sought-after free agents in the upcoming summer.
Back in April, Kuzma expressed his openness to the possibility of returning to the Wizards, referring to it as his “home.” Before joining the Wizards for the 2021-22 season, Kuzma spent four years with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won an NBA championship.
In regard to his decision not to exercise the player option, Kuzma stated, “It’s 100% a choice. I had a great time here in Washington, my game has improved significantly, there are great people here. I say this not just as a choice, I’m an idiot.”
However, the Wizards have undergone significant changes since the season concluded. The team’s former general manager, Tommy Sheppard, was fired, and Michael Winger, previously the general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, has taken over as the president of the team’s management team, Monumental Sports, with the goal of rebuilding the team. Additionally, there have been rumors circulating about the potential trade of Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns.
Kuzma was initially selected by the Brooklyn Nets as the 27th overall pick in the 2017 draft but was subsequently traded to the Lakers. After the 2020-21 season, he was sent to the Wizards as part of the trade involving Russell Westbrook.
With Kuzma entering free agency, numerous teams are expected to pursue his services due to his remarkable performance this season. It remains to be seen whether he will ultimately choose to stay with the Wizards or explore other opportunities.
“Kyle Kuzma’s decision to decline his player option showcases his confidence in his abilities and eagerness to explore other opportunities as a free agent. With his proven versatility and scoring ability, he will undoubtedly garner interest from several teams in need of a skilled forward. It will be intriguing to see where Kuzma lands and how his career progresses from here.”