Rockets Top Suitor For Kyle Kuzma Ahead Of Free Agency?
HOUSTON — At the end of the 2022-23 campaign Kyle Kuzma said he felt his sixth season in the league was a significant "stepping stone." He appeared in 64 games for the Washington Wizards and averaged a career-best 21.2 points on 44.8 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
Kuzma's career year has the 27-year-old forward in line for a significant payday this summer. And according to Bleacher Report, the Houston Rockets have "the edge in signing the unrestricted free agent."
Kuzma declined his $13 million option with the Wizards and will become a free agent on July 1. And with $60 million to spend, the Rockets will be a prominent destination.
"I want to continue getting better as a basketball player," Kuzma said. "I have goals and plans of where I want to see my life. And how I am going to get there is to become a better basketball player by leading guys, making guys better and by winning."
The Wizards acquired Kuzma from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, where he has spent the previous two seasons playing at a near-All-Star level.
Kuzma scored 30 or more points on 10 separate occasions last season. He registered 33 points on 12-for-25 shooting, 5-for 12 from deep, to lead the Wizards to a five-point victory over the Rockets on Jan. 25. He scored a career-best 40 points during Washington's defeat to the New York Knicks on Jan. 13.
In addition to the Rockets, Bleacher Report added that the Sacramento Kings are also targeting Kuzma this offseason.
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