Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma is expected to be among the prime candidates for a trade this season. The 29-year-old doesn’t align with the Wizards’ rebuilding timeline. They’re years away from contention, and it wouldn’t make sense for Kuzma to continue hanging on in the hope that the franchise eventually trades him.
Michael Robbins of The Athletic revealed that Kuzma is losing patience with the Wizards and wants to be traded this season after personally declining a trade to the Dallas Mavericks last season.
“Last season, Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger had a concrete trade offer on the table from the Dallas Mavericks, but Winger felt lukewarm about it. At that time, Winger asked Kuzma if he wanted to be traded, and Kuzma said he preferred to remain with the Wizards. Winger wound up declining the Mavericks’ trade offer. But all indications are that Kuzma is less patient now with the Wizards’ direction.”
Kuzma’s decision to stay with the Wizards has cost both the player and the franchise. Kuzma missed out on becoming the power forward for an NBA Finals contender while the Wizards passed up on trade value which they definitely won’t get from any team this season for Kuzma.
He’s averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in an injury-plagued season where his role has been drastically reduced in favor of the young stars on the roster. He explained in a recent interview why he didn’t want to be traded last season, revealing this season is the first time he’s openly discussed a potential trade with the Wizards.
“We’ll see how it goes. I don’t know. I didn’t think last year was the right time (for a trade) after signing the deal (a four-year contract in 2023). That was kind of more of a last-year thing. I haven’t had conversations (with Wizards management). I haven’t even talked about the deadline, haven’t talked about being traded. So, this is really the first time I’m really talking about it.”
Kuzma had a sudden media outburst after his best game of the year, which included 30 points and 11 rebounds, on Saturday. He proclaimed that he’s been trying to fit in but needs to be more aggressive to get his numbers.
“I think I’ve tried to fit in. I think I’ve tried to help the young guys build confidence and do their thing. I think today I was just really the most assertive I’ve been all year… Sometimes. Sometimes, only because there’s certain positions on the floor where we run plays. Probably (in) past years, I might have been in those, you know?”
The forward is on a team-friendly descending contract until 2027. Even though he’s making $23.5 million this season, it drops each year ($21.5 million in 2025-26 and $19.4 million in 2026-27), which makes him an attractive acquisition for a contender potentially in the second apron.
Kuzma reportedly was hoping the Mavericks try to acquire him again but it seems the franchise has moved on. He could still be a valid target for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers or Sacramento Kings, as it looks like his time in Washington will be over before the end of this season.
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