Wizards could be patient in potential Kyle Kuzma trade

Kyle Kuzma is reportedly available for trade. The Washington Wizards forward, 27, has steadily improved since joining the franchise in 2021. However, with the front office deciding to enter a rebuild, a price of two first round picks has reportedly been placed on the veteran forward's head. 

According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Washington could remain patient in their bid to move on from Kuzma and hold out until the offseason. 

"League sources peg Kuzma’s current price tag to be something in the vein of two first-round picks or equivalent value," Vecenie wrote. "I’m skeptical another team will meet that price, so we’ll see if the Wizards have any wiggle room or if the marketplace substantially changes before February. Kuzma will likely maintain his value going into the summer, so the Wizards can be patient."

Unlike most players in the NBA, Kuzma is on a declining contract. His current four-year $90 million deal began this season and slowly drops from the $25.5 million he's earning this season to $19.4 million in the 2026-27 season. The entire contract is fully guaranteed, with no player or team option in the final year. Still, having a player who slowly becomes less expensive while in his prime could be enticing to multiple playoff rosters around the league. 

Kuzma has proven himself to be a reliable wing defender and secondary scorer. Since joining the Wizards, he's averaging 19.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, shooting 52.6% from 2-point range and 33.9% from the perimeter. For the majority of his tenure in the capital, Kuzma has played alongside one or two other stars. 

Interested teams will take note of how Kuzma has slotted in next to other stars. Whether that's enough to convince them to part with multiple future first-round picks will remain to be seen. One thing is for certain, though: Kuzma is the type of player that can raise a team's ceiling, and those players don't become available very often.