Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma didn’t think he was heading to the east coast until the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Wizards was confirmed.
In an interview with Fubo Sports, Kuzma says he was “shocked” to be traded to the Wizards and thought for sure he was about to be traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Kuzma thought he was getting traded to Sacramento 👀
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 6, 2021
(via @fuboSports) pic.twitter.com/HwB1jE739k
“I was kind of shocked, because I thought I was going to [Sacramento],” Kuzma said. “Like the Sacramento deal with Buddy Hield, that s*** was done. So I’m thinking in my head, like, ‘OK, [Sacramento], 45-minute flight. That’s not bad, I can go to Napa.’”
Despite the surprising move, Kuzma said he was happy to be heading to the Wizards and relished the opportunity to play with Bradley Beal.
Kuzma was part of a three-team trade that sent himself, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Wizards. In return, the Lakers received Russell Westbrook and two second-round draft picks.
Kuzma had a solid season despite the Lakers’ troubles, averaging 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over the course of 68 games. He has played four seasons in the NBA, all with the Lakers, averaging 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
