Inside The Wizards

Wizards Have Suitors for Kyle Kuzma Trade

Kyle Kuzma could be traded by the Washington Wizards.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 27, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) warms up before the game between the Washington Wizards and the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Nov 27, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) warms up before the game between the Washington Wizards and the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards are expected to be a busy team ahead of this year's trade deadline as one of the league's biggest sellers.

ESPN insider Shams Charania is reporting that Kyle Kuzma is expected to be among the players dealt elsewhere.

"Several contending teams are expected to pursue Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, sources said. Kuzma, a proven NBA champion on the 2020 Lakers, is in the second season of a four-year, $100 million deal. The 6-9, versatile player has averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds this season," Charania writes.

Kuzma, 29, was seen as a trade target a year ago when the Wizards were one of the worst teams in the league, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he finds himself in rumors once again.

The Wizards opted to keep Kuzma last year, but after adding three rookies in Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Bub Carrington, there are people who need touches more than him. Add in the fact that Bilal Coulibaly is also looking to grow as a playmaker and there is a need for the Wizards to move on from Kuzma.

There are benefits to keep Kuzma as he is one of the top scorers on the team, but the value in what the Wizards may be able to get in a return package may be worth more than what the veteran provides.

There should be several teams interested in a player like Kuzma, one with championship experience that can either start or come off the bench. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers could benefit from adding a player like Kuzma, and they have the draft capital that is needed to acquire him in a trade.

The Wizards are back in action on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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