Inside The Wizards

Wizards Trade Idea Sends Kyle Kuzma to Clippers

Kyle Kuzma could be traded by the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards are not ready to make a move quite yet, but they are exploring the trade market to see what could happen ahead of Feb. 6.

Among the players who could be dealt is Kyle Kuzma, who is averaging 17 points per game for the Wizards so far this season.

Bleacher Report writer Zach Buckley suggests a trade that would send Kyle Kuzma to the Los Angeles Clippers for P.J. Tucker, Nic Batum, Bones Hyland and a 2031 first-round pick.

"The Wizards, meanwhile, would do this deal solely for the pick, which would immediately become one of the league's most coveted assets. L.A.'s long-term future is a giant question mark, so an unprotected future first from this franchise might one day deliver a jackpot prize. Tucker and Batum would likely be in and out of the District pretty quickly (ideally traded in different deals, but potentially just waived), but Hyland could stick around for a bit. He has shown a knack for quick-strike scoring when given the opportunity," Buckley writes.

In this prospective deal, Hyland could emerge as the Wizards' backup point guard and it would allow the team to also send Malcolm Brogdon elsewhere for more value.

Kuzma has two years left on his deal after this one, so a first-round pick would have to be the starting price. However, there's maybe a world where Kuzma could fetch a second future draft pick, perhaps with protections in the first round, or even a pick swap.

The Wizards might be able to get more for him even next year when he will be an impending free agent and teams will have more buzz on him.

Either way, the Wizards should, at the very least, be listening to offers on Kuzma if and when they come in.

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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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