When the NBA season began, a lot of people assumed the Washington Wizards would trade Kyle Kuzma at some point.
Now, just weeks before the deadline, it feels like that may not happen.
Evan Sidery of Forbes reported that the Wizards will have a “difficult time even receiving one [first-round pick] in a trade.”
“With Kuzma going through a career-worst stretch making $23.5 million, there’s a strong possibility he stays in Washington all season,” Sidery wrote on X.
After holding out for two first-round picks last year for Kyle Kuzma, the Wizards will now have a difficult time even receiving one in a trade.
With Kuzma going through a career-worst stretch making $23.5 million, there’s a strong possibility he stays in Washington all season. pic.twitter.com/P3bDS5LC78
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 21, 2025
Kuzma was scoring career-highs last season, and this year he is not.
He is averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, down from 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season.
He has fallen into a tough spot, and that is affecting his trade value, right when the Wizards are most keen on shipping him away.
Though they could settle for less than they want, the Wizards will more than likely just hold on to Kuzma, hope he gets better next season and then re-evaluate their choices.
It’s not clear why Kuzma is having a rough time this year, but he isn’t looking like the team leader and No. 1 option he once was.
The Wizards, meanwhile, remain the worst team in the league, so they aren’t in a huge rush to make big trade decisions.
Plus, they will be sellers before the upcoming trade deadline with other players.
They have a few stars who can be shipped away to improve their chances in 2025-26 and beyond.
They wanted Kuzma to be part of their trade agenda this year, and it looks like that isn’t possible, but that doesn’t mean the Wizards won’t make moves in the weeks ahead.
NEXT: Details Emerge About Wizards’ Asking Price For Jonas Valančiūnas
