Every year, a player or two has a breakout season in the NBA. The 2023-24 season is no exception. We’ve seen a handful of players deliver career performances.
Still, if you talk to a Philadelphia 76ers fan, no player has broken out quite like Tyrese Maxey. They’ve got a case to be made. Maxey was a borderline star last season.
This year, he’s delivering an All-NBA level performance. Maxey is a superstar – full stop. That eases the pain of losing another star guard. The Sixers moved on from James Harden, and so far, it doesn’t look like they miss him very much.
In exchange for Harden, the Sixers received contracts and assets. The driving assumption has been that they’d move those assets for another star. The Sixers could do that, but this team doesn’t need a megastar. They should be exploring a wide range of options.
Could they look into trading for Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards?
NBA Trade Proposal: Philadelphia 76ers Land Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma
Washington Wizards Receive: F/C Marcus Morris Sr., G/F Furkan Korkmaz, F Danuel House Jr., 2026 First-Round Pick (OKC, HOU or LAC via PHI)
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
Quietly, Kuzma is having a breakout season as well. He’s averaging career highs in several counting stats. He’s doing it fairly efficiently, too.
Kuzma isn’t connecting from long range as often as you’d like, but he’s making up for that on every other area of the floor. Why isn’t his breakout being talked about more?
Simple. The Wizards are losing. Players who put up big numbers on bad teams are often stigmatized – fairly or not. There’s a question of whether this is a simple function of usage. Someone has to put up the shots. Is Kuzma doing anything more than taking advantage of an opportunity?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Perhaps not. On the other hand, you can’t just take an average man off the street, pluck him into an NBA game, and expect him to deliver as Kuzma has. The fact that he’s producing on this level means something.
Should the Wizards really part with him?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Here’s one thing we can confidently say: Kuzma can’t lead a team to the playoffs. If he could, the Wizards wouldn’t be losing so many games.
The truth about Kuzma likely lies in the middle. He’s a hypertalented player who can help a winning team, but he’s not quite the star that his numbers would suggest.
So, the Wizards might as well move him. This team is rebuilding – they need assets above all else. Here, they’re lucky to get a first-round pick for Kuzma. He’s on a long-term, significant deal. They should pounce on that opportunity if Washington can find a first for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
They’re also exclusively taking back expiring money here. That will free up the Wizards’ books if they want to make a run at some restricted free agents this summer.
Should the Sixers commit to Kuzma’s current contract?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
It’s debatable. Some will maintain that this isn’t the move for the Sixers. They’ll suggest that Philadelphia keep their books clean for next year’s free agency. Sure. On the other hand, the Sixers could strike out in free agency. Here, they’re assuring that they add meaningful talent.
In the process, they’d be making themselves one of the best teams in the NBA. Kuzma would join Joel Embiid, De’Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, and Maxey in the starting lineup.
The Sixers would have solid depth, too – particularly at the wing positions with Nicolas Batum and Robert Covington on the bench. This team could make a serious run at the NBA title.
Best of all, they’d still have some assets left over. The Sixers could sink more into a better player if they become available. On the other hand, they’re already playing so well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers can justify prioritizing fit, and Kuzma is a perfect fit with this roster. Together, he and Maxey could help each other continue to break out.
