The Washington Wizards have been one of the worst teams in the league this season.
All things considered, that’s not much of a surprise, considering how poorly Jordan Poole — who was supposed to be their franchise player — has fared since leaving the Bay area.
The Wizards have struggled with Iso-heavy and low-IQ basketball, and losing Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis pretty much doomed them.
With that in mind, they’re strongly expected to be sellers ahead of the NBA trade deadline, and Kyle Kuzma could be their most sought-after player.
Notably, NBA insider Sam Vecenie reports that the Wizards will ask for two first-round picks or their equivalent for the former NBA champion, adding that he doubts that any other team will be willing to meet that asking price (via NBA Central)
“League sources peg Kuzma’s current price tag to be something in the vein of two first-round picks or equivalent value. 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,” reported Vecenie.
The Washington Wizards are seeking 2 1st-round picks for Kyle Kuzma, per @Sam_Vecenie
“League sources peg Kuzma’s current price tag to be something in the vein of two first-round picks or equivalent value. I’m skeptical another team will meet that price, so we’ll see if the… pic.twitter.com/2OQ3bEDDAV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 16, 2024
Kuzma has proven that he can put up plenty of numbers on a losing team, but no one wants him to be a volume shooter on a contender.
He’s a more than capable defender and a guy who can score from all three levels, spread the floor, and hold his own at three frontcourt spots if need be.
So, as good a player as he is and as much as he could help multiple championship contenders, it’s hard to envision any team being baited into paying that much for him.
NEXT:
Fans React To Jordan Poole’s Awful Stats In Past 5 Games