NBA Rumors: Kyle Kuzma Trade to Be Explored by Teams After Wizards' Deadline Talks

The Washington Wizards are reportedly expected to explore trading forward Kyle Kuzma this summer.

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported teams plan to "circle back" with the Wizards regarding Kuzma deals during the offseason. Washington nearly traded Kuzma to the Dallas Mavericks at the deadline in February.

Kuzma averaged a career-high 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. While his individual stats were solid, the Wizards slogged through a 15-67 season and Kuzma did not do much to prop up teammates. Kuzma and Jordan Poole were essentially the poster children for one of the league's most confounding teams.

Still, Kuzma has a manageable four-year, $90 million contract that de-escalates every year moving forward. He will make $23.2 million in 2024-25, followed by $21.5 million in 2025-26 and $19.4 million in 2026-27. Given the soaring rates of contracts around the NBA, getting a 20-point scorer at that rate is manageable—even if Kuzma has noticeable warts to his game.

It's unlikely Kuzma will be the first choice of any team on the trade market, so the Wizards might have to wait things out. Their best chance at moving him early this offseason will be around the draft, but it's more likely he'll be on the roster well into early July.

Once teams start striking out on free agency and look down the list to their third and fourth options, giving up assets for a player like Kuzma might be more palatable.