The Sacramento Kings have been rolling since replacing Mike Brown with Doug Christie, going 9-2 under their new head coach. However, given the amount of talent dispersed around the league, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Thus, they’ve been linked to quality players like Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, who’s been perhaps the most popular trade candidate this season.
Is Kyle Kuzma Trade To Kings Still Alive?
Johnson began his career as a 3-and-D role player but his touches have increased since the Nets traded Mikal Bridges last summer. Indeed, he’s taken a similar path as Bridges, one of his closest companions in the league. Prior to arriving in Brooklyn, Bridges was simply an elite 3-and-D forward for the Phoenix Suns, more or less. He’s now featured heavily in the New York Knicks offense.
The former lottery pick hasn’t shown himself to be as dynamic as Bridges, but he’s averaging a career-high 19.5 points per game in 2024-25.
This has led to the 28-year-old being pursued by playoff and title contenders such as the Kings, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder. With so much competition for his services, the Nets have been able to drive up his price, seeking multiple first-rounders for Johnson. With Sacramento holding seven first-round picks through 2031, they’re among the franchises that could feasibly make that trade.
If The Shoe, Or Price, Fits
Given how highly teams value their draft picks, they may prefer a more economical addition than Johnson. That’s what makes this brief interaction between Kings owner Vivek Ranadive and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma so interesting. It’s not necessarily unusual for players to greet executives from opposing teams. It’s not often that the individuals involved have been linked together in trade rumors though.
Interesting moment right before tipoff tonight in Sacramento.
Kyle Kuzma greets Kings owner Vivek Ranadive.
Kuzma has always been connected to Sacramento as some sort of potential trade/free agent target. pic.twitter.com/Wgta6q6MZL
— Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC) January 20, 2025
To that point, Kuzma has been rumored to be a potential trade target for Sacramento for quite some time. Because he’s had a down year, those whispers can barely be heard these days. Nonetheless, he’s an above-average offensive player who has contributed to a championship team.
He’s also on a below market, de-escalating contract that makes him more attractive to potential suitors.
He had another off night on Sunday, tallying 13 points on 3-15 shooting from the field and 1-7 from three. He’s now shooting 14.4 points per game with a .257 three-point percentage. Consequently, he doesn’t look like he should be a starter for a title-winner. Yet, he could be a weapon off the bench, as he was in 2020 when he won a ring with the Los Angeles Lakers. With that in mind, the Kings rank 28th in bench points per game (25.6) this season.
Kuzma isn’t an ideal acquisition due to his undependable shooting stroke (and defense). However, if Sacramento is willing to make an offer for him, the Wizards shouldn’t have too high of a price tag.
