Kyle Kuzma interested in playing with Jordan Clarkson for Philippines

NBA star Kyle Kuzma says he would be willing to play for the Philippine men’s national basketball team alongside Filipino-American standout Jordan Clarkson. In his cover story interview with ALL-STAR Magazine, the Washington Wizard said playing for USA Basketball remains his top priority, but if that opportunity doesn’t present itself in the future, he wouldn’t mind rocking the name of the Philippines across his chest with one of his best friends. “I mean, if I didn’t play for Team USA, I mean, I could rock out with JC. That would be cool,” Kuzma responded when asked if he’d be open to play for Gilas.

Source: ALL-STAR Magazine

More on this storyline

Per play-by-play data I compiled, Kuzma took 77 shots the NBA classified as a hook and converted 60% of them. That’s tied for the 17th-most in the NBA, and while he dabbled at center in small-ball Wizards lineups, he’s still a more perimeter-oriented player than anybody on the list above him. His 60% conversion rate ranks fourth out of the top 20 hookers (stop it). For comparison, Karl-Anthony Towns and Giannis Antetokounmpo also shot exactly 77 hook shots last season, and they only made 52% and 43%, respectively! -via Basketball Poetry / September 6, 2024

Q. Do you ever think what would have happened had you stayed in L.A. after the 2021 season, do you guys think you'd be contending until now for the championship? Kyle Kuzma: ‘For sure 100%. It was tough because I think they kind of gave up on me and they gave up on like that team too a little too early. Probably panicked a little bit but in the NBA things happen fast, right? You never know what's going to happen next and it's always like a revolving door. So we had a tough little stretch but you know it happens.’ -via YouTube / September 6, 2024

Blockbuster deals are never easy, and it makes some sense for Golden State to see what it has before any rash decisions are made. But in whiffing on PG and Markkanen, the Warriors kept their powder dry. If another star becomes available at a price that makes sense for everyone involved (Jimmy Butler? Brandon Ingram? Julius Randle?), they can craft a compelling offer and, one last time, become a heavyweight contender once again. Maybe it turns out that they don’t need a star. Maybe they’re OK with sacrificing future assets for another intriguing veteran (think Bruce Brown Jr., Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Robert Williams III, or Kyle Kuzma). -via The Ringer / September 5, 2024

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kyle Kuzma interested in playing with Jordan Clarkson for Philippines