Mavs NBA Free Agency Rumor Update: Wizards Sign Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma was expected by some to depart from the Washington Wizards to join a new NBA team this offseason. The Dallas Mavs were among the teams linked as having a "known" interest in signing him.

DALLAS — Kyle Kuzma was set to be one of the top available players in free agency after declining his $13 million player option with the Washington Wizards. With the team rebuilding after trading Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, the expectation from some was that Kuzma will join a new team this offseason. 

But as the clock strikes "NBA Free Agency'' time on Friday, Kuzma has agreed to a four-year, $102 million deal to return to the Wizards, per @wojespn.

Kuzma, 28, has established strong value for himself since being traded to the Wizards. He is coming off a 2022-23 campaign averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 35.0 minutes per game. With an expanded role in Washington, he set new single-season career-bests in points and assists per game. 

According to Matt Moore of Action Network, the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz are among the various teams with "known" interest in Kuzma going into this process.

"The Jazz and Mavericks are among the teams known to have interest in Kuzma, with the Jazz said to be one of the few teams willing to put up big money in various talks early on," Moore wrote.

On the surface, adding Kuzma to a team that is led by Luka Doncic and presmuably impending free agent Kyrie Irving? There was a lot to like about what could be accomplished. However, after a 38-44 campaign that featured finishing 25th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage, Kuzma would not provide an answer to the team's most foundational issues.

The Mavs have already been linked as having interest in a number of free agents, with "rebounding and defense'' the mantra from GM Nico Harrison. Get caught up on all the movement here on DallasBasketball.com.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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