Wizards Appear Determined To Move Kyle Kuzma; Kings To Renew Pursuit?

At the 2024 trade deadline, Kyle Kuzma made it clear to the Wizards’ front office that he wanted to stay in the nation’s capital, even as they were nearing a deal with the Mavericks, wrote NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Fast forward to February 2025, and the situation is expected to look markedly different, Stein added.

With the Wizards sitting at a dismal 4-22 and clearly in full rebuild mode ahead of a stacked 2025 NBA Draft, the belief around the league is that Washington will look to move Kuzma, and the 29-year-old will likely be on board this time.

While Kuzma didn’t have a formal veto on trades last season, the Wizards surprisingly gave him a say. As a result, the Mavs turned their attention elsewhere, completing deals for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington — two players who contributed to Dallas’ unexpected run to the NBA Finals.

But for Kuzma, that pivot meant missing out on an opportunity to join a team with a coach he knows well in Jason Kidd, with whom he worked during their days together with the Lakers.

Kuzma’s contract, which includes $3 million in unlikely bonuses, does present some salary cap hurdles for potential suitors. However, it remains quite attractive overall.

In Year 2 of a four-year, $90 million deal, Kuzma’s salary declines every season, bottoming out at $19.4 million in 2026-27. Despite some teams, including Dallas, potentially eyeing him for a frontcourt upgrade, any notion of a Mavericks-Kuzma reunion was quickly shot down, Stein reported.

The Kings are another team that could revisit their previous interest in Kuzma, especially with their recent 5-10 slump. But whether Kuzma becomes a serious target remains to be seen. His status will undoubtedly be one to watch as the trade deadline approaches.

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