Should Kuzma get Max Extensions

 

This past week it was announced that many former 1^st round picks from the 2017 and 2018 drafts were given max contract extensions. Those players are Brandon Ingram, Donovan Mitchell, De’Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo. The details for the extensions are 5 year deals worth $163 Million with it begin able to reach $195 million if they meet the requirement of making a ALL NBA selection. One of the players that will be up for an expected contract extension next off season is Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles. The question is does Kuzma deserve a max extension.

 

If you look at the before mention players roles on their teams, they are all the number 1 option with the exception of Bam. Bam is the 2^nd option and a very versatile big man who is a key corner stone for the Miami Heat franchise. Kyle Kuzma has been a third on the Lakers this season and very inconsistent when the team needed him most. Kuzma truly need his own team to see what he can do because he’s a player that needs 20 shots a night to be able to show his full offensive arsenal.

 

In conclusion, Kuzma should not receive a max extension from the Lakers. He is just not as good of a player as any of the players that received max extensions on Monday. He should realize he is a good role player but not the star he sees himself as. In addition, Kuzma needs to realize you will be competing for championships this upcoming season and that if he can prove to be reliable he will get paid just not max money.  

Warriors Championship Dreams Shattered

 

On Wednesday November 18^th the Golden State Warriors received devastating news that star Shooting Guard Klay Thompson tore his Achilles. This will mean that he will miss is second consecutive season he will miss due to injury. He missed all the 2019-2020 season due to a torn ACL which he sustained in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors. With Thompson out for the year it caused the Warriors to trade for Kelly Oubre of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oubre posted career highs last year in points and 3pt shooting percentage while with the Phoenix Suns.

 

The Warriors projected starting 5 will likely feature Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre, Draymond Green, and James Wiseman. Wiseman was the number 2 overall pick in the NBA draft on Wednesday night. With this new look Warriors team will they have enough to challenge for a top 4 seed in the Western Conference.

 

Without any unforeseen further injuries, I fully expect the Warriors to make the playoffs. I see them battling for the 5^th and 6^th seeds with teams such as the Portland Trailblazers and the Utah Jazz. Stephen Curry will be on revenge tour making sure the league knows he is still the best shooter and one of the best Point Guards in the NBA. Wiseman will be great addition to their team giving them a big man who can rebound and is a rim protector on defense. I wish Klay a speedy recovery and can’t wait to see him in 2021-2022 season.

Houston We Have A PROBLEM

 

Russell Westbrook has played just one season in Houston and reportedly wants out all ready. Many thought his friendship with James Harden would be enough to keep the duo together at least 2 years before the Rockets would have broken them up, after not accomplishing the goal of winning an NBA Championship. One of the reasons that Westbrook supposedly wants out is because he would like to return to a floor general role, which he had when he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 

There are a couple things that may make this demand a lot harder than Westbrook may realize. One of the first things is his contract is astronomical. Over the next 3 years is schedule to make 41, 44, and a player option for 47 million dollars. This makes his contract very hard to move for a player that I believe you cannot win championship with as your number 1 option. Also he is not a good 3 point shooter which is very pivotal in today’s NBA, in addition, he likes to force things in clutch situations. This occurs in the form of bad decision making when shooting 3’s when left wide open or my favorite going 1 on 5 when teammates are open. Lastly, his value around the league is not as high as his contract would suggest.

 

 I have 3 teams that should try to trade for him so they can possibly make the playoffs and even one championship contender.

 

Charlotte Hornets

The first team that comes to mind is the Charlotte Hornets. This would be great for many reasons one of being that the Hornets will have relevancy in the NBA, and they would be able to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Also, it would be great to see Westbrook who is partnered with Jordan Brand to play for Michael Jordan in Charlotte. Imagine Westbrook bringing back excitement to the city of Charlotte about their basketball team; this is something they have not seen since the 1990’s.

 

New York Knicks

The Knicks would be interesting just that you have another star in New York. Also don’t forget Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving play in Brooklyn so it can be a fun matchup to see. Just think after a break away dunk Westbrook getting the crowd hyped. The NBA is just better when the Knicks are good and to have Madison Square Garden going crazy with a superstar who embodies that toughness of the glory days fans always talk about.

 

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks are the one contender that if they traded for Westbrook, I would not be surprised. If I am the Bucks, I would need Giannis to sign his super max contract before I trade for him. If you trade without getting Giannis’ contract secured you can very well be left with that ridiculous Westbrook contract for an additional two years with no chance of getting to a championship. Westbrook would be able to be a floor general and would he run a great two-man game with Giannis. Also, this only works if Giannis improves his ability to shoot especially from 3.

 

It will be interesting where Westbrook goes, he likely will not win a championship, but it will be entertaining.