Kyle Kuzma was a hot favorite at the trade deadline, with many teams reaching out to the Wizards regarding the availability of his services. At the forefront of that line were the Dallas Mavericks. The team was looking to strengthen its wing wing and had Kuzma at the top of the list.
Negotiations have progressed so far that Michael Winger, the Wizards' top decision-maker, has presented Kuzma with the idea of a trade, Kuzma told The Athletic's Josh Robbins.
“At some point Dallas, they definitely wanted me,” Kuzma told The Athletic. He asked me a little bit what I wanted to do. I told him he wanted to stay here and keep creating things. And that was kind of the end. ”
The winger called the Mavericks back and said the contract was non-negotiable.
If true, that's an unusual amount of respect for a player who isn't even in the top 10 in the league and is the linchpin of a franchise. Giannis Antetokounmpo has received such consideration, as has Luka Doncic and other players. Kuzma is a good player, but if it's better for the franchise to move on from him, he usually will. Surprisingly, players often learn their fate from Woj bombs, just like the rest of us.
The next question is, what are Wizards building? They have the second-worst record in the NBA at 9-44, and while they have some attractive young players like rookie Bilal Koulibaly and third-year player Corey Kispert, young teams like Oklahoma City and Orlando are struggling. do not have. Kuzma is entering his age-28 season, Jordan Poole is 24, and Tyus Jones is 27. The future direction of the franchise is unclear.
Whatever it is, Kuzma wants to be a part of it.
