Kyle Kuzma is rumored to demand $20M to $25M per year on a new deal next summer

Kyle Kuzma is gearing up for a hefty contract extension that almost doubles his current payroll and the NBA community has opinions on it.

Kyle Kuzma is gearing up for a hefty contract extension that almost doubles his current payroll and the NBA community has opinions on it. [Image Credits: NBA Central]
By Shrey Gupta | Dec 8, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Kyle Kuzma is one of those redemption storylines this season that has the NBA shocked. During his time with the Lakers, he was deemed to be one with the highest potential among De’Angelo Russell, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Julius Randle. During his tenure at the Lakers, Kyle Kuzma faced a lot of criticism for his inconsistent performance. In 2021, he was shipped to the Washington Wizards in a blockbuster trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles lakers. Since going to the Wizards, Kuzma has shown that he can develop into a starter, and his prime has not graced the NBA. That being said, he is due for a contract extension, and it will be hefty.

Kyle Kuzma is going to get a bag this off-season.

Kyle Kuzma is currently on a three-year contract, two of which were with the Wizards and one with the Los Angeles Lakers. In December 2020, just before the start of his fourth season, Kuzma signed a three-year, $39 million contract extension. There have been several rumors about his future. Wizards might find it in their heart to retain the youngster as he is getting interested from the Pheonix Suns and Atlanta Hawks.

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Shams Charania of The Athletic reported, “For his part, Kuzma is expected to approach in excess of $20 million to $25 million per year on a new deal next summer, executives believe. Kuzma, who is averaging 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists to go along with 20.6 points, is in the second season of the three-year, $40 million contract he signed with the Lakers in 2020.”

Does Kuzma deserve his next contract?

Kyle Kuzma has been on a tear in the NBA. He has been playing at an elite level. Though the trade that sent Kuzma to Washington in the summer of 2021 was centered around former MVP Russell Westbrook, a very real argument can be made that, at this point, Kuzma is the best player that was involved in that deal. Kuzma was playing in the shadows of former teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Further,One can make an argument that he was the third-best player on the 2020 championship-winning Laker team. That was true on paper, but players like Rajon Rondo and Alex Caruso were far more valuable. In Washington, he has opened up as a player and taking far better shots, and he is far more confident. Although the Wizards are 10-13, their record is not an accurate description of how he has played.

In addition, Chandler Parson has very accurately put the Kyle Kuzma Contract extension in words. He said, “Ignorance is bliss with him. He’s got confidence. He thinks he’s a star… I don’t think he’s ever a one or two option on a championship team. I don’t ever think he’s an All-Star, but he’s gonna get paid.”

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