Jan 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Kyle Kuzma Makes Very Honest Jordan Poole Statement

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Oct 1, 2024 11:18 PM ET

Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole are coming off their first season as teammates on the Washington Wizards.

Poole had spent the first four years of his career with the Golden State Warriors before getting traded to the Wizards in the summer of 2023.

On Monday, Kuzma made an honest statement about Poole when he met with reporters at media day (h/t goforitradio).

Kuzma: "From last year, to over the summer, to now, I think Jordan is a much different person. I think he's more relaxed, I think he's more at home, I think for him, coming to a new situation off the first time of his career was probably really, really hard and a little bit different. Everybody moves and develops at a different pace, so you gotta give people grace... I love where he's at from a mentality standpoint. I think that he's Jordan Poole. I don't think that last year he necessarily was. He was a little bit quiet, a little bit standoffish... I think that I see more of what Jordan Poole is now."