Redrafting the 2017 NBA Draft: Which teams fix their mistakes?

Kyle Kuzma has transformed from a fun sixth man into the legitimate No. 2-or-3 scorer on a playoff hopeful. He, like many before him, has found new life since leaving the Lakers’ infamously poor player development system, adding new layers to his game and giving the Wizards a lot on both sides of the ball.

There has never been much doubt about Kuzma’s ability to score the basketball. He entered the league on fire, making tough shots off the dribble and immediately entering the national consciousness as a highly entertaining rookie on the NBA’s most publicized team. Then, he hit some roadblocks. LeBron’s arrival and the emphasis on winning laid bare some of Kuzma’s more inefficient tendencies.

Now in Washington, however, Kuzma has become a much more well-rounded offensive player. He’s taking more 3s and making an effort to involve teammates as a passer while still maintaining his unique tough-shot ability when possessions break down. He has the size to punish mismatches inside and the quickness to exploit slower power forwards on the perimeter.

What has been most remarkable about Kuzma’s development in Washington, however, is his defense. Kuzma is becoming a legitimately impactful rebounder who can also guard multiple positions at a high level. His newfound commitment to that side of the ball, in tandem with his offensive growth, has made Washington profoundly victorious in the infamous Russell Westbrook swap.