{"id":78878,"date":"2024-05-26T14:37:25","date_gmt":"2024-05-26T18:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=78878"},"modified":"2024-05-26T14:37:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-26T18:37:25","slug":"wizards-star-reportedly-on-trading-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/26\/wizards-star-reportedly-on-trading-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Wizards Star Reportedly On Trading Block"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wizards executives are shopping star Kyle Kuzma<\/a> around the league after trade talks raged throughout the season. The Washington Wizards are reportedly putting Kuzma\u00a0on the trading block going into their vital off-season. Kuzma, averaging north of 22 points per game, is a trade target for many contenders around the league.<\/p>\n

Kyle Kuzma Reportedly On Trading Block<\/h2>\n

Yahoo! Sports insider Jake Fischer reported that Washington will shop Kuzma around the league, according to well-placed sources inside the league. Washington’s asking price ahead of the midseason trade deadline was pretty staggering, as they wanted several draft picks, young players, and more in exchange for the 28-year-old wing.<\/p>\n

“Kyle Kuzma will be another advanced wing player on the trade market, although Washington\u2019s asking price for the veteran scorer prior to February\u2019s trade deadline was too rich for most rival teams,” the reporter wrote<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

For Washington, a trade this offseason will be vital as they look to embrace their young core. Despite finishing with the second-worst record in the league, Washington is in the bottom half of the league for projected cap space<\/a>. \u00a0They have to prioritize getting draft picks and developing their young players. Behind tenured vets like Kuzma,\u00a0and Jordan Poole<\/a>, the Wizards’ lottery pick, Bilal Coulibaly<\/a>, did not get a lot of playing time. Young forwards such as Deni Avdija<\/a>\u00a0and Corey Kispert<\/a>\u00a0should also be given larger roles.<\/p>\n

Although Kuzma can officially hit free agency in 2027, his declining contract size and attractive playstyle make it easy to package him with potential deals. He’s an advanced wing who can wreak havoc on offense, while his six-foot-nine frame and agility allow him to guard a variety of positions. With the new media rights deal<\/a> Kuzma’s contract size could be dwindling to the value of a mid-level exception.<\/p>\n

Who’s Interested?<\/h3>\n

Kuzma averages 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 46\/34\/78 shooting splits. The Utah alum was the main force in DC and did virtually everything on both sides of the ball. He is open<\/a> to staying for the Wizards’ rebuild, as he would guide young prospects and serve as a leader. However, it’s more than likely that Kuzma will see himself on another team.<\/p>\n

Teams like the Sixers<\/a>, the Mavs, and the Kings<\/a> are all monitoring Kuzma’s situation in DC. All have mid-first-round picks in either this year’s draft or in the next one, and all are willing to trade away a role player in exchange for Kuzma and his capital.\u00a0The Mavs were close<\/a> to trading for Kuzma in February. Dallas offered a trade of Grant Williams and an unprotected first-round pick for Kuzma. But Kuzma reportedly declined at the last moment.<\/p>\n

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“The Wizards did have an option to trade Kyle Kuzma at the deadline to the Mavericks for Grant Williams and an unprotected first round pick…Kyle Kuzma decided to stay loyal, he wanted to remain and stick it out with the Wizards.”@ShamsCharania<\/a> on Kyle Kuzma and the Washington\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/48zvU50qfw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 5, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n