Kofi Inkoom
The Sacramento Kings were keen on adding Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards during this season’s trade deadline, but the deal didn’t come together.
Now, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report has proposed that the Kings should pursue Kyle Kuzma from the Wizards in the upcoming summer.
Additionally, NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype indicates that Kuzma is likely to attract interest on the trade market again as we approach the 2024 NBA Draft, making him a valuable trade target in the summer.
Bailey proposes a trade scenario between the Kings and Wizards:
The proposed trade involves Trey Lyles, Sasha Vezenkov, Chris Duarte, and a 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Kyle Kuzma.
“He might even be good enough to start over Harrison Barnes…..And the Kings have two expiring contracts in Trey Lyles and Chris Duarte and effectively a third with Sasha Vezenkov (who’s on a team option for 2025-26) to offer the Wizards for him. That alone brings the Wizards loads of financial flexibility. Kuzma is on a reasonable deal, but it runs through 2026-27, when he’s set to make $19.4 million. Getting out from under that and eventually adding a first-round pick makes this a reasonable haul for a soon-to-be-29-year-old volume scorer who’s never had an above-average true shooting percentage.” Bailey wrote.
Kuzma showcased impressive numbers this season with the Wizards, averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc, and 77.5% from the free-throw line. He is set to earn $23.5 million next season.
Both the Kings and the Wizards failed to secure playoff berths this year, with the Kings finishing 46-36 and falling short in the play-in tournament’s second round against the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Wizards struggled with a 15-67 record.
Kuzma, 28, boasts career averages of 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, having previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Kings, winning the NBA championship with the Lakers in 2020.
With the Wizards holding the No. 2 and 26 picks in the first round of the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, they are looking to add another first-round pick. Kuzma, one time NBA champion, is viewed as a better fit for a playoff-bound team.