Though earlier rumors have suggested the Washington Wizards will likely keep him, the latest reports suggest the team could trade Kyle Kuzma to the Sacramento Kings by the NBA Trade Deadline.
The Kings have been linked to Kuzma for many years, and, according to The Athletic, this year appears to be no different:
The Sacramento Kings have coveted Kuzma for some time. They had a deal done for him in 2021 for Hield while he was with the Lakers only to see L.A. pivot and then deal Kuzma to Washington in the multi-team trade that sent Westbrook to the Lakers. Sacramento had interest in signing Kuzma this summer as an unrestricted free agent before he re-signed in D.C. And the Kings have been a bit off-kilter for large parts of this season.
Earlier reports indicate the Wizards have a bit of a hefty asking price for Kuzma. However, this is something that is reportedly “somewhat overblown”:
League sources maintain Washington has been holding out for two first-round picks for Kyle Kuzma, though team sources indicate that is somewhat overblown. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Kuzma’s career-high 21.9 points per game lead the 9-37 Wizards. Additionally, Kuzma’s 4.4 assists per game and 45.6 FG% are career-highs for the forward.
Kyle Kuzma was scorching in Detroit with 30 PTS as the Wizards came out on top! pic.twitter.com/07gfm81Uwu
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2024
NBA Rumors: Sacramento Kings Want Washington Wizards Star?
Why Do the Kings Want Kuzma?
The Kings may show interest in Kuzma’s services for a plethora of reasons. Kuzma is a fantastic, well-rounded scorer who can round out a “Big Three” next to De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Plus, his underrated playmaking can give the 27-18 Kings a second-half push.
Furthermore, it appears the Kings view the 28-year-old as an upgrade over Harrison Barnes, Sacramento’s starting power forward. Kings beat reporter James Ham detailed the Kings’ pursuit of Kuzma:
Then again this summer, the Kings were very interested in Kuzma again. They had negotiations with Harrison Barnes and his group about a potential fit about bringing Harrison back. But then the Kings got to a certain point with negotiations and then went radio silent for like 10 days while they went out and made sure that they were making the right move for themselves. Part of that, from what I know, was to kick the tires again on Kuzma who eventually went back to Washington
Additionally, Kuzma fits the team’s timeline better than the near 32-year-old Barnes does.
Will the Wizards Trade Kuzma?
Although his name has appeared constantly in trade rumors recently, it seems likely the Wizards will hang on to the former NBA champion:
While Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has been viewed as a potential in-season trade candidate, he’s under contract for several more years and Washington appears to be in no rush to move him, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on The Woj Pod.
Additionally, a recent report has suggested the Wizards have “been very reticent” with Kuzma:
Teams tell me they call them and they’re not getting counters from Washington. If you want to register an offer for Kuzma, fine, you can do it. But they’re not at the point now where it seems like they’re really active in seriously trying to move him. It could change by the deadline, but I know (Wizards executives) Michael Winger and Will Dawkins like Kuzma, like having him there. I think they’ll be particular about what they might do.”
This year’s NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday, February 8. So far, Kuzma has been one of the most popular trade candidates this season. It will be interesting to see what the Wizards if they trade the Michigan native. Furthermore, it is worth keeping an eye on Kuzma’s potential destination and what the Wizards get for him.
