It feels like he’s been in the NBA a lot longer, but Kyle Kuzma only just completed his fifth professional season. He’s experienced almost a full career arc in that span. Kuzma started off as a young centerpiece for the future with the Los Angeles Lakers and later became an intriguing role player for a Lebron James-led team looking to win a championship.
The franchise won a title in the 2019-2020 season, thanks in part to Kuzma’s contributions. Before this season, he was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a blockbuster trade for Russell Westbrook. He’s only 26 years old, and his career will likely take several more turns before all is said and done.
Kyle Kuzma – Childhood
Kyle Alexander Kuzma was born on July 24, 1995, in Flint, Michigan. His mother, Karri Kuzma, and her partner, Larry Smith, raised Kyle as a kid. The future NBA player was introduced to the game very early on in life, as his mother bought her son a toy basketball rim.
Kuzma would play on that hoop for hours, dunking on it, and shooting free throws behind a piece of tape he stuck to the floor. He played youth basketball at Dailey Elementary with future Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris.
Kuzma has spoken about how Flint was not the easiest place to grow up, but has always been appreciative of the support his mom provided. She was an athlete herself, competing on a track scholarship during her college days.
Kyle Kuzma – High School
Due to his love of the game and desire to experience a better life outside of Flint, Kuzma was extremely driven to do whatever it took to advance his basketball dreams. He played on the Bentley High School team and was extremely effective. In his junior season, he posted eye-popping statistics, averaging nearly 18 points per game, and over 14 rebounds per contest, to go along with over three blocks.
Despite his outstanding play, Kuzma was not really on the national radar at that point and was only receiving collegiate interest from a couple of smaller schools in Michigan.
It was a difficult decision, but Kuzma and his mother realized that if the teenager really wanted to have a chance to play college basketball at the highest level, he would have to leave his hometown. He wanted to position himself more prominently on the recruiting scene by playing for a prep school. Initially, his journey took him to San Diego, California to play for La Jolla Prep Basketball Academy. However, his stay there only lasted a couple of weeks due to a miscommunication of expectations.
Kuzma would find a home for his senior season at Rise Academy in Philadelphia, instead. Head coach Vin Sparacio loved what he saw from Kuzma’s film from Bentley, and his workouts at the YMCA. The ascending prospect would have an excellent season at Rise, averaging 22 points and seven rebounds per game. Under Sparacio’s guidance, Kuzma would also start to fill out his skinny frame by working out and getting stronger.
Where did Kyle Kuzma go to College?
Kuzma’s mission to enhance his profile worked perfectly, as he now had the attention of universities playing in the Big 12, Big 10, SEC and Pac-12. The former Flint basketball star would end up deciding to play for the University of Utah.
His time with the Utes got off to a bit of a slow start. He ended up signing on with the program late and was pretty low on head coach Larry Krystkowiak’s depth chart as a freshman. Future NBA players Delon Wright (senior) and Jakob Poeltl (also a freshman) were the featured players, as the team finished second in the conference. Kuzma did play in 31 games, but only averaged eight minutes per contest as a role player.
This motivated Kuzma to work harder and collaborate with Krystkowiak on a plan to maximize his development with the Utes. That effort and poise served him well. As a sophomore, he started in 35 games next to Poeltl and averaged nearly 11 points per game.
As the unquestioned leader of the team as a junior, Kuzma’s game reached new heights. He averaged over 16 points per game and over nine rebounds per game. His athleticism and versatility as a 6’9” forward garnered the attention of many NBA scouts. It wasn’t clear where he would be selected, but it seemed like a certainty that Kuzma’s name was going to be called at some point in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Kyle Kuzma – Summer League Championship Game
The Los Angeles Lakers were looking for a new direction after Kobe Bryant had retired at the end of the 2015-2016 season. They felt that the 2017 NBA Draft would go a long way toward rebuilding the franchise. Most fans and observers focused on what they would do with the second overall pick, and rightfully so. They decided to select hometown kid Lonzo Ball, but the team ended up acquiring another player at the end of the first round in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
D’Angelo Russell and Brook Lopez were the primary figures in the deal, but the Lakers acquired the rights to the 27th pick, which ended up being Kyle Kuzma. Even though he wasn’t getting as much attention as Ball, Kuzma put himself on the map a few weeks later at the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
He had a brilliant tournament, capped off with a 30-point, 10-rebound performance in the Summer League championship game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers won that game, and Kuzma was named Summer League Finals MVP.
Kyle Kuzma – Los Angeles Lakers
Although the team wasn’t very good during Kyle Kuzma’s rookie season, the Los Angeles Lakers provided the former Ute with plenty of chances to shine on a young roster. Right out of the gate, he averaged 16 points and six rebounds per game, as one of the bright spots of the franchise. He was also a proficient three-point shooter, converting 36 percent from downtown. This was a little surprising, as the long ball was not really a part of his game in college.
Everything would change for the Lakers the following offseason. LeBron James decided to sign with the team, which immediately reopened their championship window. Unfortunately, he ended up missing 27 games, and the team was never able to get on a roll.
Before the 2019-2020 campaign, the team would trade most of its young assets to the New Orleans Pelicans for star power forward Anthony Davis. Los Angeles did not part with Kuzma, but he would have to adjust to a new role coming off the bench.
His sacrifice would end up being important, as Los Angeles had a starting-caliber player filling in an important job as a reserve. Kuzma averaged just under 13 points a game, which represented a decrease in individual production. However, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA title, and the kid from Flint, Michigan received a championship ring.
Kyle Kuzma would spend one more season with the Lakers in a similar role. Los Angeles was not able to replicate the success it had in the prior season, as they lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs to the Phoenix Suns.
Kyle Kuzma – Washington Wizards
Looking to make a big splash in order to return to title contention, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Kyle Kuzma to the Washington Wizards as part of a blockbuster trade that would bring Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.
It would end up being a successful first campaign for Kuzma in Washington. He averaged a career-high in assists and rebounds, impressively filling the void left by Bradley Beal, who missed a large chunk of the season due to injury. Kuzma’s ability to score has never been in question, and his desire to improve in other areas bodes well for him moving forward.
Kyle Kuzma – NBA Future
It will be very interesting to see what ends up happening with Kuzma and the Wizards. Washington acquired Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline this past year, who essentially plays the same position as Kuzma. At $13 million per season, Kuzma’s contract is very favorable to the franchise, but could also be packaged along with other assets in a larger trade. Whether he’s on a rebuilding franchise or a contending team, Kuzma has proven his value in an NBA setting.
What is Kyle Kuzma salary?
Kyle Kuzma has a 3-year-long contract with the Los Angeles Lakers which adds up to $39,000,000. His salary each year amounts to $13,000,000.
