Wizards Rumors: Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon

The Washington Wizards are still smack in the middle of their “deconstruction phase” — GM Will Dawkins’ words, not ours — and that means their roster is shaping up to be a treasure trove for contenders ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

If you’re looking for veterans who can move the needle, the Wizards might just have what you need.

Let’s start with Kyle Kuzma. The guy’s been doing it all for Washington: scoring, defending, and leading a young squad that’s still figuring out the league. Around the league? Execs are circling Kuzma like sharks.

They see his declining salary, his skillset, and his age — 29 and squarely in his prime — as the perfect combo for a win-now piece. But there’s a catch: Kuzma doesn’t exactly fit Washington’s long-term timeline. You know, the one built around Bilal Coulibaly and the team’s other under-25 core pieces.

And let’s not forget the Kuzma market has been heating up for a while now. The Dallas Mavericks nearly nabbed him last season before pivoting to guys like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.

The Pacers? They sniffed around before ultimately splashing big on Pascal Siakam. Oh, and the Sacramento Kings have been eyeing Kuzma for two straight years.

It’s not just those teams, though. The Bucks, Warriors, Lakers, Heat, and Cavaliers all have some level of interest, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

If you’re looking at Kuzma, you’re likely also keeping tabs on Jonas Valanciunas. He’s been a low-key revelation for the Wizards this season, stepping into a mentor role for rookie Alex Sarr while anchoring the team’s second unit.

Think efficient minutes, solid defense, and a whole lot of teaching moments for Sarr in practice. But contenders eyeing frontcourt help are thinking about what Valanciunas can do for them in the playoffs. The Lakers, in particular, are said to be very intrigued.

Then there’s Malcolm Brogdon, who feels like the ultimate plug-and-play piece for a playoff team. He’s on an expiring $22.5 million deal, which makes him an asset on the floor and a potential cap-clearing move.

With the Wizards clearly in no rush to contend, Brogdon could be the type of trade chip that lands them an interesting young player or a first-round pick if the market heats up.

But here’s where it gets tricky. The Wizards aren’t exactly itching to load up on second-rounders. They’ve already got a stack of those.

Just last season, they reportedly turned down offers of multiple second-round picks for Tyus Jones. So, if you’re calling about Washington’s vets, you’d better come with more than a handful of seconds and some bad contracts.

Oh, and don’t sleep on Johnny Davis as a potential trade sweetener. Both were reportedly shopped around before the season began. With Davis at $5.29 million, he’s the kind of salary filler that could help grease the wheels of a larger deal.

The bottom line? The Wizards are a team to watch — big time. Whether it’s Kuzma, Valanciunas, or Brogdon, Washington’s vets could be the missing pieces for contenders aiming to make a deep playoff run.

And for the Wizards, it’s all about adding value while staying committed to their rebuild.