Veteran forward Kyle Kuzma has agreed to a four-year, $102 million contract to return to the Washington Wizards, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Friday just after free agency opened. This is the biggest deal of Kuzma's career and will keep him in D.C. until 2027.
Kuzma, who was traded to Washington from the Los Angeles Lakers in the Russell Westbrook deal in 2021, is coming off a breakout season in which he even generated a bit of fringe All-Star buzz. His 21.2 points and 3.7 assists per game were both career-high marks, and he chipped in 7.2 rebounds as well.
Given his recent performance and offensive versatility on the wing, Kuzma had a number of suitors in free agency. There were rumors that the Sacramento Kings might use their cap space to chase him, and he was also linked to the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers, among other teams. Ultimately, though, he decided to remain with the Wizards as they start a fresh rebuild.
By sticking with the Wizards, Kuzma not only got paid but will have an opportunity to be a primary offensive option after the team traded Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis in recent weeks. Kuzma scored the ball pretty efficiently last season, and also showed some flashes as a playmaker. He'll be able to continue developing both of those skills in an environment where he knows he's comfortable.
"I've said from the jump I love being here, because I can play my game and I've developed so much," Kuzma said in January. "Taking on a new role has been amazing for me.
"[Knowing the Wizards wanted to keep him] is a source of peace. Any time somebody wants you, that's a good thing. You want to be wanted in this world. You don't want to be not-wanted. So, it's a great feeling. It's like being wanted to be married, wanted to have a relationship. As a person, you love that, you feel love. You feel that and it makes you alive."
Kuzma will team up with Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones, who both arrived in Washington via trades earlier this summer. That trio will have all sorts of freedom on a young team without many expectations.
