Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Is Wizards' Kyle Kuzma looking to force a trade?

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 8:18 AM ET

Kyle Kuzma has been featured in trade rumors for the past 12 months. As a veteran presence on the Washington Wizards, he is seen as a logical trade chip for a roster that's firmly rooted in a rebuild. Kuzma's four-year, $90 million deal, which declines in cap hit year over year, is also seen as a valuable salary-matching tool for contending teams.

However, despite his status as a "tradable" high-level role player, Kuzma continues to reside in Washington. On Saturday, Kuzma produced his best performance of the season, scoring 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting against the Phoenix Suns.

During his postgame news conference, Kuzma stated that he played his own game and wasn't attempting to "fit in" to what the Wizards were doing.

"I think today I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we're doing here, and just really played in the moment," Kuzma said. "I think my mom helped me out with that. I saw her today...I mean just not trying to fit into what we're trying to do here. Just being more assertive, demanding the ball, not just going out there and trying to let people develop. Just playing my game."

Kyle Kuzma had his best all-around game of the season tonight. "I think today I just decided to be myself and not really just try to fit into everything that we're doing here, and just really played in the moment," Kuzma said. "I think my mom helped me out with that. I saw her today."
— Josh Robbins (@joshrobbins.bsky.social) 2025-01-26T05:10:29.446Z

Kuzma's comments are interesting. For his entire tenure in Washington, he's been a team-first player. The type of reliable veteran every coach in the NBA would enjoy having in their rotation. By going off-script against the Suns, Kuzma showed a different side to himself and, in the process, proved he could be a secondary or tertiary option to a contending team.

The Feb. 6 trade deadline is fast approaching. Kuzma is once again waiting to find out whether he will continue his career with the Wizards or be moved on via trade. At 29 years old, Kuzma is in his prime. He's unlikely to want that wasted as a leading veteran on a rebuilding team. Instead, he will want to test himself in the playoffs on a competitive roster.

Kuzma's decision to call his number against the Suns was likely him putting on an audition. His contract means he's an attainable player for most NBA rosters. His versatility would allow him to plug and play in almost any system.

It may have been uncharacteristic for Kuzma to go off-script. But, if his outing against the Suns results in fresh trade interest, he might have done both himself and the Wizards a favor.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

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