What Are The Wizards Really Bringing Back With Forward Kyle Kuzma Re-Signed?

The Washington Wizards successfully retained forward Kyle Kuzma as NBA free agency got underway Friday. A move that wasn’t projected to happen by many in the days leading up to it.

The Washington Wizards were able to execute a deal to keep forward Kyle Kuzma on a new four-year $102 million deal. 

Getting a read on social and national media sources in the days leading up to the start of NBA free agency Friday there weren’t many who expected Kuzma to be with the Wizards in 2023. 

READ MORE: Kyle Kuzma’s New Deal

Especially after trades involving guard Bradley Beal and forward/center Kristaps Porzingis signaled what many viewed as hitting the reset button. 

Instead, it now appears Washington is in more of a renovation than rebuild. But what did the Wizards really keep by retaining Kuzma?

In win shares it doesn’t look all that impressive as Kuzma contributed just .9 wins according to stathead.com. 

But its hard to have a solid win-share when the team simply doesn’t win all that much. 

READ MORE: Which New Wizards Guard Is More Impactful?

Beyond that, Kuzma was one of 33 forwards in the NBA last season to turn in over 2,000 minutes for their team, and in a sports world where availability is still the best ability, that’s not to be undersold.

While contributing those minutes he was also top 20 in two-point and three-point field goals made in the 2022-23 NBA Season leading to a top 15 finish in points scored, just behind Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. 

All of this on top of an effective field goal percentage above .500 presents Kuzma as an NBA player on the rise who now has a chance to form a new trio with guards Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones that could lead Washington into a rebirth of sorts on the basketball court.

One Wizards fans have been yelling out for since John Wall was traded in 2020.

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Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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