Report: Kings Still Interested In Trading For Kyle Kuzma After Acquiring DeMar DeRozan

According to NBA insider Damien Barling of ESPN 1320, the Sacramento Kings are still interested in trading for Washington Wizards small forward Kyle Kuzma after acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. 

The Kings tried to acquire Kuzma from the Wizards at the 2024 NBA trade deadline. 

There’s still interest in Kuzma though the market and Washington’s asking price will dictate what happens next.

As far as Ingram, I don’t think so. I think that’s a name we can stop discussing. https://t.co/OsdUkZkdJl

— Damien Barling (@damienbarling) July 7, 2024

Kuzma averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.7 blocks for the Wizards in 2023-24 while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.5 million next season.  

The Kings and Wizards missed the playoffs in 2024. Sacramento went 46-36, while Washington went 15-67. The Kings lost the 8-9 play-in game to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Kuzma has career averages of 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings. He won the 2020 championship with the Lakers over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

A future Hall of Famer, DeRozan appeared in 79 games for the Bulls in 2023-24. The USC product averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 48.0% from the floor, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 85.3% from the free-throw line.  

DeRozan has career averages of 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs and Bulls. He’s made three All-NBA teams and six All-Star teams. 

The Kings now have a “Big 3” of DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. Fox played a big role in DeRozan coming to Sacramento, per NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report. 

The Golden State Warriors beat the Kings in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in seven games. 2023 was the first time Sacramento made the postseason since 2006.