Kyle Kuzma is looking to turn the page in his NBA career with a bold promise to Bradley Beal and the rest of the Washington Wizards. After spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 26-year-old NBA champion was acquired in a huge blockbuster deal sending him, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell to DC in exchange for Russell Westbrook's LA homecoming.

With all eyes glued to Kuzma for his debut season in Washington, he knows that the expectations are high. He's more than ready to step up to the plate:

“Coming to this organization, [general manager] Tommy [Sheppard] has said they have high expectations for me. I want to withhold that,” Kuzma said (via NBC Sports).

Kuzma had just a so-so fourth season, averaging 12.9 points per game while starting almost half of the regular-season games for the Lakers. Amid the preseason boost from guys like LeBron James, Kuzma couldn't capitalize and simply underperformed, especially in the playoffs.

Coming into the 21-22 NBA Season, the newly acquired Wizards forward believes that he has been improving this summer and that he's ready for a much bigger role alongside Beal and the rest of their squad:

“This offseason I’ve really done a great job of hammering my ball-handling. I think last year with the Lakers, I did a great job of showing and being a willing passer, somebody that can get guys open and get guys open looks,” Kuzma added. “For me, adding a handle and a more consistent, stronger one will really allow me to be an on-ball type of guy. Not only just a scorer and be that type of threat, but be a threat to get guys open. Get Rui [Hachimura] open shots, get Brad easier looks, help Spencer [Dinwiddie] get downhill, get big [Daniel] Gafford pick-and-roll lobs; all those things, it’s going to help.”

We'll see how Kuzma and the new-look Wizards do this season.