Kyle Kuzma and the Wizards are in a mess right now, no sugarcoating it. Kuzma’s putting up 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game this season, but those numbers feel like empty calories on a team with a brutal 2-17 record. The Wizards are riding a 15-game losing streak, and let’s be real—nobody’s expecting them to improve.
Kuzma’s efficiency is rough too—42.0% shooting from the field is not what you want from a guy who was supposed to be a primary scoring option. The Wizards gambled on him as a cornerstone when they gave him that big contract, but it’s clear this whole experiment is falling apart.
Here’s the upside, though: Kuzma’s stock might be low enough that contenders like the Lakers, Warriors, or Heat could snag him on the cheap. For teams that need some size, a bit of scoring punch, or just another body to throw into a playoff rotation, Kuzma could be a sneaky good pickup. With that said, let’s dive into what realistic trade offers could come the Wizards’ way for their wing.
Kuzma Would Be Good Again In The Bay
Warriors receive: Kyle Kuzma
Wizards receive: Andrew Wiggins, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2026 Second-Round Pick
The Warriors’ season has been all over the place. They’re sitting at 12-8, but they’ve dropped their last five games. The vibes are off right now, and their roster is screaming for some fresh energy. Andrew Wiggins, who was once a crucial part of their championship run, hasn’t looked like himself last season, and came into 2024-25 as a big trade candidate. He’s averaging 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists on 45.9% shooting—not exactly the production you want from someone pulling in $26.2 million a year.
Enter Kyle Kuzma, who’s having a pretty mediocre season himself but might just be the shake-up the Warriors need. Kuzma is averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 42% from the field. He’s not lighting it up, but his skill set fits better with what Golden State wants to do. Kuzma is versatile, can defend multiple positions, and adds a scoring punch that doesn’t require the ball in his hands all the time. Plus, he’s on a declining contract—$23.5 million this year—so he’s cheaper than Wiggins.
From the Wizards’ side, this deal makes a lot of sense too. Washington is straight-up tanking. They’re 2-17, on a 15-game losing streak, and the roster feels like a black hole for basketball. Kuzma isn’t doing much to help them win, and flipping him for a future first-round pick and a second-rounder is exactly what a rebuilding team should be doing.
As for Wiggins, he’s not a long-term solution in Washington, but his contract aligns with their tank timeline. The Wizards also get a player who, at least on paper, brings similar production to Kuzma while adding that 2027 first-round pick, which could be gold for a team that’s clearly playing the long game, and could be traded next year for more assets.
The Warriors, on the other hand, could really benefit from Kuzma’s presence. He slides into their system perfectly as a secondary or even tertiary scorer behind Buddy Hield, which adds another good scorer to an incredibly deep team. He’s also a better fit in their small-ball lineups than Wiggins, who’s looked a step slow on both ends of the court this season. For Kuzma, moving from the basketball purgatory that is the Wizards to a team with championship aspirations might be just what he needs to find his groove again.
This trade might not fix everything for either team, but it’s one of those rare scenarios where both sides walk away happy. The Wizards get valuable assets for the future, and the Warriors get a piece that could help them turn their season around. It’s a win-win, even if it’s not flashy. Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Kuzma Brings The Heat Some Firepower
Heat receive: Kyle Kuzma
Wizards receive: Terry Rozier, 2031 First-Round Pick
The Heat are sitting at 10-10, and it’s clear they need to shake things up. Tyler Herro has been carrying the scoring load with 24.1 points per game, and Bam Adebayo continues to anchor the defense with 9.8 rebounds a night. But outside of those two, the team has struggled to find consistency. After two losses in the last 3 games (beating the Lakers last night), including a brutal 108-89 blowout against the Celtics, the Heat feel like a team stuck in neutral.
Terry Rozier has been fine—not great, not terrible. In 17 games, he’s putting up 12.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 40.2% from the field and 36.1% from three. But Rozier doesn’t seem to fit with the Heat’s identity. Swapping him for Kyle Kuzma, who brings size, scoring, and versatility, could be the move to get this team back on track.
Then there’s the whole Jimmy Butler situation. Butler holds a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26, but there are already whispers about him exploring free agency next summer. Teams like the Mavericks and Rockets are reportedly circling, and the Heat need to make moves to stay competitive and show Jimmy they’re serious. Kuzma is a no-brainer here—he’s averaging 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this season and is the kind of forward who can take pressure off Butler, Herro, and Adebayo.
For the Wizards, this deal works perfectly for their rebuild. Rozier is a solid guard who can either help them now or be flipped later for more assets. And that 2031 first-round pick? That could be gold if the Heat’s window starts to close in a few years. It’s exactly the kind of move the Wizards need to make while building for the future.
For the Heat, Kuzma would slot in seamlessly. He can create his own shot, help stretch the floor, and take on some of the defensive workload. Adding him makes their rotation way more balanced and gives them a real shot to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
This trade just works. The Heat address their biggest needs and show Jimmy they’re still in win-now mode, while the Wizards keep stacking pieces for their rebuild. A win-win for everyone involved.
Could Kuzma Be The Missing Piece For The Lakers?
Lakers receive: Kyle Kuzma
Wizards receive: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Maxwell Lewis, 2030 First-Round Pick
The Lakers are in a weird spot right now. They’re sitting at 12-9, but things haven’t felt right. They’ve dropped two straight games, including a rough 116-93 blowout against the Timberwolves, and the team’s chemistry looks shaky. Even LeBron James, who’s usually superhuman, has hit a rough patch. He recently went 0-19 from three over a stretch of games and scored just 10 points against the Timberwolves. LeBron’s still putting up 22.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, but it’s clear the Lakers can’t lean on him like they used to.
The role players aren’t helping either. Gabe Vincent has been a huge letdown this season, averaging just 3.0 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting an ugly 30.6% from the field and 20.5% from three. Jarred Vanderbilt hasn’t played a single game yet thanks to a foot injury, and Maxwell Lewis, while promising, is still too raw to make a difference right now.
For the Wizards, this trade package could be solid. Vincent struggled, but a change of scenery might help him find his rhythm. Vanderbilt, once he’s healthy, could be a versatile defender for them, and Lewis gives them a young player to develop. That 2030 first-round pick could also be a sneaky valuable asset down the line.
For the Lakers, bringing Kuzma back is all about finding an answer for their issues right now. Kuzma already knows the system, he’s versatile, and he can give them a much-needed boost in scoring and size at forward. Plus, his declining contract makes him a cheaper option than most other potential trade targets.
Compared to the Warriors’ offer for Kuzma, which includes Andrew Wiggins and draft picks, the Lakers’ package is less about proven talent and more about upside. For the Wizards, it depends on whether they want a more immediate contributor like Wiggins or prefer to stockpile future assets with the Lakers’ deal.
For the Lakers, Kuzma could be the guy to help them find some stability and take some pressure off LeBron, who’s carrying way too much at this point. And for the Wizards, it’s another step in their rebuild, adding potential and picks to their pile. It’s not the flashiest move, but it could work out well for both sides.
The Pacers Need A Quick Change
Pacers receive: Kyle Kuzma
Wizards receive: Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, James Wiseman, 2028 First-Round Pick
The Pacers were supposed to build on last year’s surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, but this season has been nothing short of a disaster. Sitting at 9-13, they’ve gone from one of the most exciting young teams in the league to an inconsistent mess. Injuries have played a role—James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson are both out with season-ending Achilles injuries—but let’s not sugarcoat it: the team just isn’t clicking.
Tyrese Haliburton, who was supposed to take another leap this year, has been underwhelming. Sure, he’s averaging 17.6 points and 8.5 assists, but he’s not impacting games the way a star point guard should. His defense has been a liability, and his shooting has been inconsistent. For a player hyped as a franchise cornerstone, Haliburton’s performances this season have been a big letdown.
Adding to the disappointment is the team’s overall lack of energy on defense. They’re allowing 118.3 points per game, which is among the worst in the league, and even head coach Rick Carlisle has openly called out the team’s effort. The Pacers look nothing like the scrappy, overachieving squad that shocked the league last year.
Enter Kyle Kuzma. While not a superstar, Kuzma could be exactly what Indiana needs. His scoring ability, defensive versatility, and experience make him an ideal addition to this struggling roster. Pairing him with Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam in the frontcourt could give the Pacers some much-needed stability and help cover up some of their defensive issues. Kuzma’s also the kind of player who can take some pressure off Pascal and Bennedict Mathurin, who’ve been carrying too much of the offensive load.
On the Wizards’ side, this trade is all about taking risks on young talent. Obi Toppin hasn’t shown much in Indiana this year after a great 2023-24 season, but maybe a fresh start in Washington is what he needs. Jarace Walker is still raw, but his upside as a versatile forward makes him an intriguing piece for a rebuild. James Wiseman’s injury is a gamble, but for a team like the Wizards, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move. And, of course, the 2028 first-round pick adds even more future value.
The Pacers need to do something, and Kuzma is the type of move that makes sense. He’s not going to save the season by himself, but he’s a proven player who could stabilize a team that’s lost its identity. For the Wizards, this is another step in their rebuild, focusing on the future while offloading a player who doesn’t fit their timeline. Both teams walk away better positioned for their goals, and for Indiana, it’s a chance to salvage what’s left of a disappointing season.
The Clippers Really Need Someone Like Kuzma
Clippers receive: Kyle Kuzma
Wizards receive: P.J. Tucker, Nicolas Batum, Bones Hyland, 2031 First-Round Pick
The Clippers are somehow 13-9 this season, and honestly, they’re doing better than expected with Kawhi Leonard still dealing with that knee injury that’s kept him sidelined for a while. It’s been a real team effort with Harden starting to look like himself, Powell stepping up big time on offense, and Zubac holding things down in the middle. But they’re still missing something—a power forward who can stretch the floor and give them more options when Kawhi’s not playing.
That’s where Kyle Kuzma comes in. Kuzma can score, defend, and most importantly, he can open up the offense for Harden and Powell. He’d be perfect next to Zubac, and he gives the Clippers a much-needed extra layer of scoring and defense. Kuzma’s ability to knock down shots from outside would help take some of the attention off the ball handlers and create more space for everyone.
For the Wizards, this trade is all about building for the future. P.J. Tucker and Nicolas Batum give them veteran leadership to help guide their younger players. Bones Hyland gets a chance to shine in a bigger role, and the 2031 first-round pick is just another valuable asset to help with the rebuild.
At the end of the day, the Clippers get the PF they’ve been looking for to balance out their rotation and help them make a real playoff run. The Wizards get some solid veterans and a future pick to keep building toward the future. It’s a smart move for both teams.
