NBA Trade Rumors: Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma Monitored by Teams ahead of 2024 Deadline

Tyler Conway@@jtylerconwayFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 10, 2024

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Rival teams are reportedly monitoring the Washington Wizards’ willingness to trade forward Kyle Kuzma.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Kuzma’s availability is worth keeping tabs on ahead of February’s deadline.

Kuzma signed a four-year, $90 million contract to remain in Washington last summer. The deal contains a 15 percent trade kicker and up to $12 million in potential bonuses.

Kuzma is averaging a career-high 22.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists but the numbers have not come close to translating to wins. Washington has lost five straight games and has the NBA’s third-worst record at 6-30.

Kuzma and Jordan Poole have found themselves the subject of social-media derision for their head-scratching shot selection and seeming lack of urgency despite the team’s poor play.

It’s unclear how much the Wizards could ask for in a trade, but Kuzma’s contract does have a team-friendly structure. The deal begins with a $25.6 million base salary for this season and de-escalates down to $19.4 million in 2026-27. Kuzma is certainly not a focal point of a winning basketball team, but he’s a quality offensive stretch 4 who has made strides as a playmaker in Washington.

Similarly skilled players will be making significantly more money than Kuzma over the next few years, so it’s a situation worth monitoring.