Based on the terms of Kyle Kuzma‘s contract with the Wizards, he could sign a veteran extension at any time this season or could pick up his player option for the 2023/24 season to delay his free agency until 2024. However, he’s currently not planning to take either of those paths.
According to Ava Wallace of The Washington Post, Kuzma said in an interview that he doesn’t expect to sign an in-season extension and that he intends to turn down his ’23/24 player option in order to become an unrestricted free agent this coming summer.
Kuzma’s plans don’t come as a major surprise. He’s in the midst of a career year, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in his first 28 contests (35.0 MPG) with a shooting line of .462/.343/.692. At age 27, he’s still very much in his prime, and his value has never been higher — he could be one of the best players to reach the UFA market in 2023.
Kuzma is currently earning $13MM, which is also what his 2023/24 option is worth. It’s safe to assume he’ll be able to exceed that figure on a new contract. An extension with the Wizards could max out at approximately $70MM over four years, but based on the way he has performed so far this season, it certainly seems possible that Kuzma can top that deal as a free agent too. In other words, it’s in his best interest financially to become a free agent next offseason even if he’s interested in remaining in D.C. long-term.
“Those are just business decisions,” Kuzma said, according to Wallace.
Although Kuzma’s intention to become a free agent doesn’t mean he wants to leave the Wizards, the club will have to proceed cautiously to avoid losing the former first-round pick for nothing when his contract is up.
If president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard and his front office aren’t confident in their ability to retain Kuzma beyond this season, it makes sense to gauge his value on the trade market. Kuzma’s name has already popped up in some trade rumors and will certainly do so again as the February 9 deadline approaches.
Kuzma to Indy for Cleveland’s 2023 1st.. Indy rents a big time scoring forward to aid in their efforts to win their 1st playoff series since the PG/DWest era. They would still have 2 other 1sts to build toward the future with & if everything goes right they might do well enough in the postseason to convince Myles & Kuz to stick around for a few yrs.. DC gets a late 1st in a deep draft for a guy that has made it pretty clear that he’s not signing back
I’ve thought Philly for years was a good fit for Kuzma
Doc would have to stagger Tobias and Kuz a tad but they could work the mins out well enough with Kuz being a great fit w Joel Imo on court
Tobias & Kuzma on the same team wouldn’t be a great idea. Especially if they’re making $60+M like they will be next season
If they trade that 1st round pick, they need to add good protections in case Cleveland would end up in the lottery.
They are only 4 wins ahead of 9th spot and play ins, you never know. Although they obviously have no incentives to tank, with injuries a season can always change.
Cleveland is in 3rd overall. I’m not sure what you are looking at, if they trade Kuzma they aren’t doing it for a pick in the 25-30 range. They will be able to do much better than that.
There was never a doubt since he arrived that Kuzma would be hitting the free agent market. Washington allowed him to boost his stats ahead of hitting the open market.
Brad Beal is the only dude interested in staying in Washington. Max money, Easy stats and No pressure to win.
Washington have gone so downhill
I used to like them with Wall Beal Oubre Morris Gortat. It was always Walls team and you could see one day Beal would take over. Wall made Gortat decent, Morris was good but they never really got over the hump, Wall got injured, Beal took over and the teams was trash and has continued on that up until now. They did terrific to get KP for next to nothing and he’s built his value back up. They gave up Bertans for him after giving him probably the worst contract in the league. Kuzma has built his value up, none of the young guys have really stepped up much and they have a bunch of them. Speaking of bad deals they have Beal on the second most ridiculous contract ever. Looks like Kuzma is in a great place to get overpaid and achieve nothing.
It’s just annoying cause you can see they have potential to actually turn it around now and be a good side once again but it’s more than likely going to turn the other way and continue to be a dumpster franchise.
Now I know I’m going to get flamed in the comments but I don’t care, what I would do is…
1. Apparently the kings like Kuzma and would offer Barnes and Daivon Mitchell. In order to salary matching you probably give up Delon Wright. To me thats a lay up just sitting there.
2. And finish with Will Barton, Corey Kispert and a pair of second round picks for Jonathan Issac and RJ Hampton.
Line up
Mitchell Beal Barnes Isaacs KP
Morris Davis Avidja Todd Gafford
Hampton Gill Carey Jr
Mitchell Barnes and Isaacs make the team really good defensively. Then on the other end Beal 1, KP 2, Barnes 3 you’ll be alright offensively. Issacs and Mitchell aren’t complete liabilities and you’ll be fine with the right coaching.
The bench Morris can play his bench impact role he was good at in Denver, Davis and Hampton share the SG role. Avidja gets the back up 3 spot and Todd/Gill and Gafford/Carey Jr round out the bigs.
Maybe a playoff/play in side and could be a sneaky first round upset team. But with the youth of Mitchell Hampton Isaacs Avidja etc coming through you should only get better and better.
Easy enough decision for the top brass – trade Kuz for whatever assets, he’s not a winning player despite his stats.