According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Dallas Mavericks have registered “consistent trade interest” in Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma.
The Mavericks have also been linked to Wizards big man Daniel Gafford and swingman Deni Avdija.
“Sources say Dallas has indeed registered consistent trade interest in Kuzma in addition to past trade runs at Wizards center Daniel Gafford and versatile forward Deni Avdija, who, like Jalen Green, signed a rookie-scale contract extension ($55 million over four years) in October,” Stein wrote in his latest NBA post on Substack.
The Wizards signed Kuzma to a four-year, $90 million contract last offseason. Kuzma is making $25.6 million this season, but his annual salary decreases every year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Kuzma is averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.7 blocks this season while shooting 45.7% from the floor, 33.1% from beyond the arc and 79.9% from the free-throw line. The Wizards (9-38) have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.
It sounds like the Mavericks want to create a “Big 3” of Kuzma, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Kuzma, 28, has career averages of 17.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Wizards. He helped the Lakers win the 2020 title over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble but was traded to the Wizards in August 2021 in the blockbuster Russell Westbrook deal.
The Mavericks are in eighth place in the West with a record of 26-22. They are eighth in the NBA in points per game (118.2). If Dallas’ front office figures out a way to acquire Kuzma, head coach Jason Kidd will have another weapon to use on offense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Along with the Mavericks, Kuzma has drawn trade interest from the Sacramento Kings.
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