Would Kyle Kuzma Make an All-Star Game? Former NBA Player With a Hot Take After Lakers’ Trade

After a disappointing 2020-21 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have multiple notable changes to their roster. Perhaps the biggest move in the off-season, the Lakers added Russell Westbrook to the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

But acquiring Westbrook did come at a huge cost as Lakers gave up some key pieces like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell and multiple second round picks in the process. While Harrell and Pope were brought in as free agents, Kuzma was the longest tenured player in the team.

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Kendrick Perkins predicts a career-year for Kyle Kuzma after departure from Lakers

Kuzma might be the biggest asset that the Lakers’ gave up for the Westbrook deal. While he had become a role player lately, in his first two seasons, Kuzma showed incredible scoring potential.

Given how Kuzma has progressed in terms of his all-round game, a bigger role with the Wizards might bring the best out of the 25-year-old. Kendrick Perkins certainly thinks so. In a recent appearance at the Jump, the former Celtics’ big man claimed that Kuzma will end up having a career year with the Wizards.

“I say Kuz to have a career year. Would he make an All-Star game? I’m not saying that. But people have to realize, it’s lot of pressure playing alongside LeBron James and playing for a championship.” 

“And in Washington there’s no pressure. It’s just pressure to get to the playoffs. I’m looking for Kuz to have that monkey off his back, go out there, be able to play freely. I’m looking for him to have a career year this year.”

Kuzma certainly saw many different roles in the Lakers. While he started off as a scoring forward, his role changed massively with the arrival of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The 2017 draft pick tried to adjust to the new role and in the process made strides in terms of defense.

Given that now Kuzma will be playing for the Bradley Beal led Wizards, a larger role might be up for grabs for the 25-year-old. Kuzma certainly has shown that he can be a good starter for any team. Will a bigger role with the Wizards bring the best out of Kyle Kuzma?