![]() Following a 10-3 start, the Wizards have plummeted toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The Wizards cannot exactly run a victory lap just yet, though. Meanwhile, the Lakers have lacked the needed offensive and defensive depth that Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope provided. Though Westbrook has played all but one game, he has struggled establishing his footing as either the Lakers’ third, second or first option. Not only has that not happened amid the Lakers suffering overlapping injuries to their stars and role players. They hoped the nine-time All-Star could give the Lakers additional scoring and playmaking depth, while relieving the burden for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They have not become the NBA championship contender they envisioned when they acquired Westbrook. The Lakers hardly feel the same way about themselves. Kuzma, Caldwell-Pope enjoying life with Wizards That backdrop explained why Kuzma said “we have to win that game.” For the remainder of the regular season, both the Wizards (29-35 11th in Eastern Conference) and the Lakers (28-37, ninth in Western Conference) will fight for a spot in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament. Therefore, it would be a stretch to suggest Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope have become consumed with exacting revenge on their former team.īoth teams already have more important things at stake. For me, it’s not about ‘what if.’ It’s time to move on. “I don’t really play the ‘what if,’” Kuzma told NBA.com “I’m cemented as a winner, and I’m cemented as a Lakers champion. No wonder Caldwell-Pope conceded Friday’s game will have “some extra juice” after the Lakers signed him as a free agent in 2017 before spending the next four years as a dependable shooter and defender.īut as Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope reflected on their Lakers’ past and their Wizards’ present, they abstained from expressing any bitterness with how their time there ended. 27 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft before spending the next four seasons as a valued role player. as “exciting times” after the Lakers selected him with their No. No wonder Kuzma described the Wizards’ trip to L.A. There’s going to be a lot of emotion and a lot of fun.” Me and Kuz are already trying to picture what it’s going to be like,” Caldwell-Pope told NBA.com “We know it’s going to be a lot of emotions because of the championship run we had with the team and our friends that are still there. Both Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope are less than a year removed from the Lakers dealing them in a comprehensive trade package to land Russell Westbrook, which came only a season after helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA title as key role players. ![]() Two days after the Wizards finished a 115-109 loss to the LA Clippers on Wednesday, they will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday ( 10:30 pm ET, NBA TV) in what marks the first game against their former team. Safe to say that both Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope have attached special significance to the Washington Wizards’ four-day trip here. Shortly afterwards, Kuzma returned to his home here where he could both enjoy meals that his personal chef prepared and sleep in his own bed. Once he stepped off the team plane, Caldwell-Pope basked in the sunny skies and 75-degree weather. LOS ANGELES - Shortly after they touched down in this city, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope soon remembered what they loved about living here for significant parts of their NBA career. ![]() Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope reflect on their Lakers’ past and their Wizards’ present.
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