3 underrated wings the Trail Blazers can trade for as a gift to the fans

Although Damian Lillard would never be traded for Kyle Kuzma, the Trail Blazers can use the young wing’s services

Kyle Kuzma was overrated for years by Los Angeles Lakers fans attempting to boost his trade value to craft a nonsensical package for a star. Now that he’s out of LA, he’s become underrated — an overcorrection to his time with the Lakers.

Talen Horton-Tucker is going through this very same cycle right now.

While Kuzma will probably never be the star that some expected him to be early in his career — or that Lakers fans made him out to be — he’s an extremely useful utility player that the Trail Blazers would certainly like to have on the roster.

Kuz is an apt defender, capable of guarding three positions. He can play on and off the ball on offense, able to create his own shot or knock down triples off the catch.

His arrival in Washington was a big reason for the Wizards’ blazing-hot 10-3 start to the season.

He’s accepted his role as complementary offensive piece playing with Bradley Beal and has committed himself to being a defensive weapon. He recently dubbed himself, along with Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell, as a defensive-minded player.

Watch him come over from the weakside and meet Wendell Carter Jr. at the rim for an impressive rejection.

The Washington Wizards have struggled as of late — 3-7 in their last 10 games — and Kuz has struggled along with them.

With Washington needing to do everything they can to keep Bradley Beal in D.C., they might be willing to sell low on Kuzma. If so, the Trail Blazers should jump on the opportunity to bring him back West.