Kyle Kuzma just signed a four-year, $102 million deal with the Washington Wizards this past offseason, but the team appears to be open to parting ways with him. NBA insider Brett Siegel is reporting that Kuzma is expected to be made available for trade, for multiple first-round picks.
“Kyle Kuzma is expected to be made available by the Wizards for ‘multiple first-round picks.'”
REPORT: Kyle Kuzma is expected to be made available by the Wizards for “multiple first-round picks”, per @BrettSiegelNBA. pic.twitter.com/bfR0ii64xO
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 2, 2024
That is a bit of a steep asking price, but the Wizards are probably hoping to take advantage of what is Kuzma’s best season in the NBA, from an individual standpoint. The 28-year-old is putting up career-highs in scoring and assists, as he is averaging 23.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.
I don’t think they’ll get multiple first-round picks for him despite that, though. Kuzma is a fine player, but teams only get that kind of a haul for All-Stars and he is not quite that good. Perhaps one first-round pick and a pick swap might be the best they’d be able to get for him, along with some players who’d help match the salaries.
We suggested a blockbuster trade that would see the Kuzma reunite with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers, of course, were the ones who traded him to the Wizards as part of the Russell Westbrook deal in 2021. Considering their underwhelming start to the season, L.A. needs to make a move, and they could do with having Kuzma back.
NBA Fans Reacted To The Wizards Wanting Multiple First-Round Picks
It’s safe to say I wasn’t the only one left surprised by Washington’s asking price, as NBA fans hilariously reacted to this report.
One joked that the Wizards must have meant multiple second-round picks.
I think they meant multiple second round picks 😂😂
— BarnesMuse🦉 (@MuseBarnes) January 2, 2024
A fan was shocked by the Wizards’ asking price.
Multiple first round picks? pic.twitter.com/HAAQtJnK9u
— BeastBron💜💛 (@bronisabeast) January 2, 2024
One doesn’t believe any team would trade multiple first-round picks for Kuzma.
What team is trading multiple first round picks for him???
— Mark A.Kern II (@Markkern111) January 2, 2024
A fan says Kuzma is playing well, but this is too much.
https://twitter.com/redruMkj/status/1742364008781385771
A fan would only trade multiple top-20 protected picks.
If by multiple u mean top 20 protected then it makes sense
— JalenJohnsonMuse (@JalenJmuse) January 2, 2024
We do see teams put out these absurd asking prices at first, but it eventually goes down significantly. The Toronto Raptors reportedly wanted more than three first-round picks for OG Anunoby at one point, but he just got traded to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick.
It is a similar situation with Zach LaVine as well, as the Chicago Bulls just want a bit too much. Reportedly, the Bulls would want the Lakers to include Austin Reaves in any LaVine trade, and L.A. just won’t give up such a valuable piece. I’d expect the asking price for LaVine and Kuzma to drop a fair bit as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Jordan Poole Reportedly Won’t Be A Wizard Long-Term
Kuzma’s future doesn’t seem to be in Washington and that appears to be the case for Jordan Poole as well. It was reported earlier this season, that the Wizards may already be looking to move on from Poole.
League observers believe the Wizards are just trying to rebuild Poole’s value so they can flip him for more assets. They don’t necessarily view him as a cornerstone piece for the franchise and unlike Kuzma, Poole hasn’t really shown that he is someone worth holding on to.
He is averaging 17.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 41.4% from the field and 31.2% from beyond the arc. Had Poole played up to expectations, the Wizards would have had a better record than 6-26 right now.
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