"Perfect chance for Lakers to get Kuz back for cheap" - NBA fans erupt over Kyle Kuzma's tone-deaf remarks on Wizards’ rebuilding process

Kyle Kuzma, perenially linked with trade rumors during his stint with the Washington Wizards, may just have made a trade away inevitable. Kuzma has spoken out in a manner oblivious to the sensibilities of an NBA veteran and has practically burned all bridges in what appears to be a statement that will necessitate a trade.

The Wizards have made Kyle Kuzma, who is averaging 14.6 points in just 27.7 minutes, available for a trade ever since they committed to a rebuild. Kuzma, who turned 29 in July, does not fit the timeline of the Wizards' rebuild and has not demonstrated production that makes him essential to the future of the team.

Halfway through another season where the Wizards (6-38) are in tanking mode, Kuzma appears to have had enough and has made his displeasure with his role public.

"I think today I just decided to be myself and not really try to fit into everything that we’re doing here. … Just being more assertive, demanding the ball, not just going out there and trying to let people develop," Kuzma said. "Just playing my game."

After a 30-point performance in a 119-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, Kyle Kuzma's words hint at it being a statement of his individuality. Kuzma certainly believes that he is more talented and capable of being more than just a contributor to the development of young talents such as Alex Sarr and Bub Carrington.

Fans have taken notice of the former NBA champion's comment. Criticism has been widespread, but so have responses from fans pitching a trade to their team for the talents of the former Lakers star.

"Perfect chance for the Lakers to get Kuz back for cheap hope they make the call," a Lakers fan wrote, hopeful of seeing their former draft pick back in Purple and Gold.

This wasn't the only Lakers fan teasing a return back to LA for the wing.

Other fans did not approve of his actions at all and reacted with heavy criticism.

"What idiot would ever admit to that in a 'team sport' press conference," a fan reacted.

"He has no future there and the last thing they need is him stealing reps from their future," a fan posted about the predicament the Wizards find themselves in with Kyle Kuzma.

Fans also compared Kuzma's behavior to Jimmy Butler's, with the Miami Heat star also making his displeasure with his team public to force a trade.

The comment also puts Kuzma in a bad light because there were legitimate offers for the wing that he turned down in the past, as he reportedly wanted to continue to "build something" in Washington.

Kyle Kuzma declined a prospective move to the Dallas Mavericks in 2024

Kyle Kuzma was one of the targets the Dallas Mavericks were looking to acquire in 2023-24 to rejuvenate their scoring and add more size. However, the Wizards' brass left Kuzma with the option to accept or reject the trade and Kuzma stated his interest in staying and wanting to build something at Washington.

Kyle Kuzma in action for the Wizards against the Mavericks - Source: Getty

In hindsight, Dallas benefitted from the trade as it went on to acquire P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford instead, with both players contributing majorly toward their run to the 2024 NBA Finals. The Wizards, on the other hand, must be kicking themselves for rejecting the offer for a player who seems to have taken a complete U-turn on his approach toward the team in little less than a year.

Kyle Kuzma, who originally was moved to the Washington Wizards by the LA Lakers as part of the Russell Westbrook trade, is the only Lakers player from that trade still rostered by the Wizards. Whether a return to the Lakers is on the charts for the former All-Rookie selection is unclear, but his lack of commitment to the Wizards' rebuild has been made loud and clear by the forward.