That's his perception for sure, but why are some of his impact metrics so good? And Grants so poor?
Overall don't feel great about a big spend on either, but Monte pretty much put himself on a corner to make a splash FA call. Can't leave this offseason with Vezenkov and Colby Jones as the major additions
Impact metrics, on what team? A losing Wiz, a bench player early in his career, or next to one of the greatest of all time in LeBron? Kuzma's impact metrics aren't superstar level regardless but don't get lost in metrics like raptor stats although even those in total have him 5 spots behind Grant at 132nd in the league. They are both by those numbers around the same. The offense is where they separate.
Kuzma's offensive metrics are around that Oubre, Clarkson level and if we're talking 25-30 million per that's what you're paying for. Which is better than what the Kings have but this is a comparison between options and value. On the Wiz Kuz was a pretty consistent 1st option type with a usg a tick under Fox (0.5 under) and was allowed to create for his teammates based off of that. Will that happen with the Kings? It could, but if not his history shows a decline in productivity in direct relation to declining usage percentages. Grant however when having had similar bounces in usage seems to still maintain his levels of productivity as a scorer.
Kuz' defensive win shares always seem to be offset by his offensive numbers and thus marginal total WS numbers. Grant has had pretty darn good WS numbers for the last 5-6 years and appears to be the better of both worlds.
Here are some WS numbers between the two:
Grant has averaged a 3.2 win share average over the last 3 seasons whereas Kuz has averaged 2.06. WS/48 Grant is almost double Kuz for his career and in the last 3 seasons with similar usage is around a .08 average compared to Kuz at a .02 average. That's a pretty significant gap.
In terms of DWS, both are under the level of a Draymond Green type by far. Kuz and Grant are usually within 1 of eachother though. Kuz having a slight advantage but as said, Kuz having a flatlined offensive win share average eradicates most of those gains.
Now, in terms of individual defensive ratings Kuz was at 47th in the league, Grant was like 200 something. However the year before last, flip those numbers. Grant was over a 100 spots higher. Thus proving individual defensive ratings are crap. Completely useless crap. As most stats are these days, lol.