NBA Insider: 'Indications' Kyle Kuzma 'Less Patient' with Wizards amid Trade Rumors
January 26, 2025
As the NBA trade deadline nears, Kyle Kuzma is reportedly getting impatient with the rebuilding Washington Wizards.
Per The Athletic's Josh Robbins, "all indications are that Kuzma is less patient now with the Wizards' direction" than he was a season ago.
According to Robbins, Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger asked Kuzma how he felt about being traded last year when the Wizards received an offer from the Dallas Mavericks, and Kuzma said he'd preferred to stay in Washington.
When asked about being traded recently, Kuzma seemed somewhat open to it.
"We'll see how it goes. I don't know. I didn't think last year was the right time (for a trade) after signing the deal (a four-year contract in 2023)," Kuzma said, per Robbins. "That was kind of more of a last-year thing. I haven't had conversations (with Wizards management). I haven't even talked about the deadline, haven't talked about being traded. So, this is really the first time I'm really talking about it."
Kuzma had a career season last year, putting up 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's struggled a bit this year while dealing with injuries, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
While his numbers aren't as good as last season's, there are likely a handful of playoff contenders that would welcome him in a trade.
The Wizards have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and are on pace for one of their worst seasons in franchise history this year. Their 6-38 record is the worst in the league and a postseason push would take nothing short of a miracle.
Kuzma, now 29, has reached the playoffs just twice in his career. While he already has a championship ring, winning with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, he's likely ready to compete for another title, and it seems that won't be happening in Washington any time soon.
