Kyle Kuzma calls Lakers wanting to trade him a ‘blessing’

Current Washington Wizards winger and former Lakers champion Kyle Kuzma doesn’t speak highly of his love for Los Angeles, even as he insists he won’t demand a trade back to his old team before his impending free agency.

Before returning to face the purple and gold on Sunday, his latest flirtation with his former organization came via an interview with Fox Sports’ Melissa Rohlin, where he made no secret of how thrilled he was with the announced Lakers interest. restore it:

The irony is not lost on Kyle Kuzma.

After being on the trading block for nearly his entire four-season career with the Lakers, Los Angeles reportedly inquired about acquiring him from the Washington Wizards, as Ovarian determination was reported for the first time.

“I think it just shows you that the grass isn’t always greener,” Kuzma told FOX Sports. “It’s definitely a good thing because at the end of the day, it means I’ve been playing well, and I have value in this league, that the team will want to trade for me. It’s a blessing.”

This is at least the fourth interview Kuzma has given about his upcoming free agency — he said he pulled out of his contract this summer — in less than a week before his return to Los Angeles, following remarks previously published in The Athletic, ESPN and The Washington Post.

But while all that apparent free agent flirting with his former front office may make it seem like he’s eager to return – that’s without mentioning Sad tweets About his adopted state — and some of his other comments to Rohlin have cast some small doubts about how ready he is to be a role player again.

Kuzma told Rohlin that while he knows sacrifice is necessary for every champion, “It was hard being that little brother on the team.”

“One night, you might get 10 shots. The next night, they might just need you to bounce. The next night, you might get 15 shots. The next night, you might get 29.” [minutes]. You never know. This [not getting] The fair end of the stick.”

“…when I was in this moment and I was young, [I was] I get really frustrated at nights cause i really want to man. I really want this. Everyone who knows me knows I’m really competitive. I really like basketball. A lot of nights it bothered me because I didn’t get a chance to do what I’m doing now, play me.”

But even with those concerns expressed, it’s also fair to note that things might be a little different this time around. For one thing, Anthony Davis has now embraced his role as the team’s starting center, which means there’s another offensive spot besides LeBron James for Kuzma to fill instead of having to come off the bench to play the best position(s). And while James’s rate of use is about the same as it’s always been during his tenure in LA, with eye testing he’s been more willing to give up some handling responsibilities, so it’s possible Coz could get more opportunities to cook, especially if he’s Kuzma also provides height and size to the wing guard the Lakers have been sorely lacking in the Lilliputian starting lineup.

Plus, with Koz seemingly graduating as a #1 student at DeMar DeRozan Institute to openly flirt with the Lakers, it’s fair to guess that he’s interested in a reunion, and likely knows what he has to do to fit in, regardless of these comments about How hard it was the first time.

Still, these are the kinds of questions about fit-out goals, personality, and more that the Lakers will have to weigh internally as they debate how badly they want Kuzma back, not to mention the fact that they won’t be alone in their bidding. Witches for his services, or Washington might decide not to trade him. For now, the only thing we know for sure is that Kuzma isn’t even close to hiding his wandering eye. Where this leads is anyone’s guess.

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