Forward Kyle Kuzma is traveling with the Washington Wizards as they head straight to the NBA Draft lottery. However, maybe that will alter before the trade deadline of February 8.
The Dallas Mavericks have inquired about Kuzma from the Wizards, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Other teams are definitely intrigued as well. According to Stein, the Sacramento Kings are also thought to be “Kuzma fans.”
For Kuzma, Washington is apparently looking for at least two first-round selections.
“And it implies that they will be looking for better selections than Toronto obtained from Indiana in the trade for Pascal Siakam; two of the three future first-round picks Indiana sent to the Raptors this June come from the much-maligned 2024 draft,” Stein said.
The Wizards’ home defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday resulted in a dreadful 7-35 record. Nevertheless, as Stein reported, Washington is not under any duress to deal Kuzma, who is in the first year of a four-year, $90 million contract.
Whatever the case, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that he’s getting a ton of interest.
“A number of teams around the league have expressed interest in trading for Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, according to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype. If teams miss out on Pascal Siakam, that interest may grow even more,” Scotto wrote late last week. “There is more clarification and qualifications to the rumors that Washington wants to trade Kuzma for two first-round selections, as they have been reported. According to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype, the Wizards would have to trade with their best player in exchange for future first-round selections that may be lottery selections after the 2024 draft.
Kuzma, 28, is shooting 34% from 3-point range and 45 percent overall while dishing out 4.2 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 21.9 points on average. This season, he is expected to earn $25.6 million. With the Wizards and Lakers, he has NBA career averages of 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.
Dallas (24-18) is looking for someone to provide further support for standout guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The team is presently in sixth position in the Western Conference. Miles Bridges, a forward with the Charlotte Hornets, has also been connected to them.
The Kings (23-18) finished ninth in the fiercely competitive Western Conference before into Sunday’s games, but they did win the Pacific Division title the previous year.
As we reported here, they are also considering Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, Detriot Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic, and New Orleans Pelicans big Herb Jones.
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