Kyle Kuzma at a press conference in Makati City as part of his Philippines tour.–MELO FUERTES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Kyle Kuzma has been on an upward trajectory since joining the Washington Wizards in 2021.
Kuzma hopes to take the Wizards on a path to improvement after finishing with the league’s second-worst record last season at 15-67.
“It’s all about improving as a team. That’s the most important thing for me right now,” Kuzma said at a press conference in Makati City on Monday.
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Kuzma on the NBA and the players in their pre-game outfits. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/TwtTIYyyRO
– Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) August 26, 2024
“Over the last few seasons I’ve had career years and gotten better and better, but winning a championship [is different]. I like winning. I felt how to win. Having career years is great, but it’s not as much fun if the people you’re with aren’t having career years either.
Kuzma certainly knows what it takes to win an NBA title after playing a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship run in 2020.
But after tasting his first title, Kuzma was sent to Washington as part of the deal that sent Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.
The feeling of winning has become rare for Kuzma since he was traded to the Wizards, who have reached the playoffs just once in the past six seasons.
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While making the playoffs would be important for Kuzma and the Wizards, the versatile forward doesn’t want to look too far ahead as he focuses first on helping the team establish a winning culture.
“I think this year it’s about building and helping others get better and that’s really important, trying to build a winning culture,” said Kuzma, who led the Wizards in scoring last season with an average of 22.2 points per game.
“Last year was the first year of our rebuild. The second year, we’re a young team with a lot of talent and good character guys.”
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Washington had a busy offseason with the acquisitions of reliable veterans Jonas Valanciunas and guard Malcolm Brogdon last month.
Two months ago, the Wizards, who also have Jordan Poole in their backcourt, selected French great Alex Sarr with the second overall pick in the 2024 draft.
