Spurs 'Interested' in Kyle Kuzma Trade; Could It Work?
The only thing worse than an extremely young team with just seven wins nearly halfway through the season is a team with veteran stars and the same record.
South Texas' hometown San Antonio Spurs — though they don't like to admit it — has a built-in excuse with their roster. It's young. It's new. It's learning.
"We always talk about being young, but there's a fine line with that," Spurs forward Sochan said. "We've got to be better. More active. Quick with everything. There's moments where we just don't do that, so as a team, we've got to be better."
The Spurs know where they lie. They aren't going to be contenders this season, though neither is another team with the same record in the Eastern Conference.
But over there, talks are beginning to heat up between some of their stars.
And Kyle Kuzma is one of them.
“[The] Wizards forward has drawn exploratory trade interest from several teams around the league," HoopsHypes wrote. “Following reports [indicate] that Washington wants two first-round picks to potentially part with Kuzma, [but] there is further clarity and caveats to that."
Dec 15, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Capital One Arena. Washington Wizards defeated Indiana Pacers 137-123.
© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
San Antonio has reportedly expressed interest in bringing the former Los Angeles Lakers star to the Spurs, which would mark an interesting move. Kuzma, a proven scorer, would bring both veteran leadership offensive facilitation to a young team needing more of both. And paired with Wembanyama, the forward would get a chance to flex those skills.
But, the main question remains: Could a trade between San Antonio and the Washington Wizards work?
To answer that question, both sides of the deal need to be considered. For the Spurs, that means marking certain players — Devin Vassell, Victor Wembanyama and Tre Jones, for this specific deal — untouchable. San Antonio has plenty of draft capital, too, so there isn't a scenario in which Washington desires what the Spurs don't have.
But one might exist where the Wizards want more than what San Antonio is willing to give up.
"The Wizards would need future first-round picks beyond the 2024 draft," HoopsHype continued. "With the potential to become lottery picks to consider parting with their best player."
The Spurs would certainly be weary of giving up multiple first-rounders for Kuzma, and for good reason. Kuzma is a strong talent, but his fit with a Spurs team prioritizing development certainly is a puzzle needing-solved before a deal can to finalize.
Since Kuzma arrived in Washington, the Wizards have yet to make the postseason — still riding the berth in their final year with Russell Westbrook and Rui Hachimura at the helm — and after acquiring Jordan Poole from the Warriors this offseason, not only has the struggle-bus continued, but it's gotten worse.
Kuzma isn't the sole reason for that struggle — not at all — but part of the reason that he departed from the Lakers to make room for Westbrook was due to his inconsistency. After two strong seasons in Los Angeles, Kuzma's production declined for the latter two, and he saw his way out.
Now, the forward is averaging his highest point totals of his career — 22.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and a 34.6-percent clip from behind the arc. His trade value is high, which would certainly be an inclination for San Antonio.
Parting with multiple first-round picks is the first obstacle for the Spurs to get past. The second would be examining Kuzma's fit and eventual future with the organization — namely, if he'd make a strong sparring partner for Wembanyama as he continues to develop.
The answer to those questions might not be known, but the idea is certainly one for San Antonio to explore.
In fact, right now, that might be all it's willing to do.
