Washington Wizards: how Kyle Kuzma has played a third of the way through the season

Kyle Kuzma began his career as a fan favorite for the Los Angeles Lakers but quickly became the scapegoat for all of the issues going on with the organization, and there are a lot. Since he’s been on the Washington Wizards following a trade including Russell Westbrook, he has been fantastic.

The former NBA Champion has always played a secondary role to other elite players on his team, but this season, he is one of the elite players. He has been arguably the second-best player on the Wizards due to his all-around two-way play.

Kuzma is having the best season of his career, averaging 21.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game to go along with half a block and half a steal per game. He has been an elite three level scorer this season while providing solid defense in the frontcourt.

He has played so well, that he has been thrown around in tons of trade rumors as a major player,

There is a reason he is in some of the most productive lineups in the league alongside fellow big man on the Wizards Kristaps Porzingis. They have combined to make a frontcourt that stretches opposing centers and power forwards out 30 feet from the basket while still applying pressure on the basket. It truly is a wonder how they have a losing record.

Kyle Kuzma has earned an A- rating with his play on the season.

Kuzma has been a name thrown around by fans as a potential All-Star this season due to his high level of play. However, it is unlikely that he gets a final nod as there have been numerous moves in the offseason that has added more big-name players to the Eastern Conference.

With the resurgence of the Cleveland Cavaliers for instance, they now have three or four All-Star caliber players, two of which have blatantly outplayed Kuzma this season, and a third, Jarrett Allen, has been far more impactful to his team.

While he has been amazing all season up to this point, it is unlikely that he makes it to All-Star weekend unless he is an injury replacement, and even then, it’s a stretch. Still, Kyle Kuzma is having by far his best season, and he deserves recognition for his play on the court.