One NBA writer thinks the Washington Wizards will explore the trade market for Kyle Kuzma this season.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes trading Kuzma should return some long-term value for the Wizards.
“After moving Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis this summer, good lottery odds are probably more important to Washington than sneaking into the play-in tournament. But productive players like Kyle Kuzma and Tyus Jones may make it tough to avoid the latter. Trading Kuzma in particular should return some long-term value while opening up developmental minutes for forwards like Deni Avdija, Corey Kispert and Bilal Coulibaly,” Bailey wrote.
Kuzma signed a four-year, $90 million contract with the Wizards this past offseason. He’s averaging 24.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists this season while shooting 49.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 84.2% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards Updates
The Wizards are 2-6. They probably won’t compete for a play-in spot. Maybe the front office will look to trade Kuzma near the February trade deadline. There could be some playoff teams with interest in acquiring Kuzma, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.
Kuzma has career averages of 16.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists with the Lakers and Wizards. The swingman is making $25.6 million this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards Updates
The 28-year-old Kuzma has already been traded once. He knows that the NBA is a business. If Washington receives a strong offer for Kuzma, the small forward could be traded again.
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