Wizards should double down on Porzingis, Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards should double down on Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma

By Dylan Williams | Last updated 3/31/23

Sitting at 11th place in the Eastern Conference, one spot shy of the play-in tournament , the Washington Wizards (34-42) face a dilemma. While the team has three standout players averaging more than 20 points per-game, it can't get off the treadmill of mediocrity.

One of those stars, Kristaps Porzingis, must decide on his $36 million player option after the season. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Washington wants to offer long-term stability through a four-year, $180M contract.

The Washington Wizards and C/F Kristaps Porzingis are in serious discussions on a contract extension as franchise prioritizes new deals for him and forward Kyle Kuzma, sources say.

Details in The Bounce at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/26qncrBQwG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 29, 2023

In a similar situation to Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma could opt out of his $13 million player option ahead of the 2023-24 season. After holding onto him at the trade deadline, the Wizards are looking to secure a new extension with the 27-year-old forward this summer.

Both players are in the midst of career years. Porzingis is averaging 23.2 points and 8.4 rebounds on a career-high 62.7% true shooting percentage while Kuzma is averaging a career-high 21.2 points.

Yet even with Porzingis, Kuzma and fellow star Bradley Beal, the Wizards are likely to miss the playoffs again this spring. Washington has only one playoff appearance in the past five seasons.

Last summer, they extended Beal for five years and $251 million. Additionally, they have been active in making trades, including acquiring Porzingis from Dallas in 2022 and Kuzma from Los Angeles as part of the Russell Westbrook trade in 2021.

They are not looking to go through a rebuild at the moment. With Beal locked in on a hefty contract, it makes sense for the Wizards to secure his co-stars on long-term deals of their own.

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