Washington Wizards: How Long Will Kyle Kuzma Last In DC?

Over the last six months or so, the plan for Kyle Kuzma and the Washington Wizards has been a rollercoaster ride to say the least. He went from being the main talk of the sign and trade conversation to now being inked to a long-term deal with the franchise.

When the 2022-2023 season ended, the plan for the Wiz looked pretty cut and dry. Bradley Beal, who was the franchise star and one year into his supermax contract, needed his running mates. After seeing good play over the last few seasons from both Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, it looked like the Wizards front office was ready to throw a bag at both of them and call it a day.

Although the results in the standings had not been there for that trio, it looked like that’s what the front office wanted to do.

Then everything changed over the summer when former general manager Tommy Sheppard was fired, and a new front office lead by former LA Clippers GM, Michael Winger was brought in.

Soon after the hiring of the new front office the current Wizards plan started to take shape. Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns and Porzingis was sent to the Boston Celtics, looking like a full rebuild in DC was on. By shipping out their star vets for a return that was highlighted by 24-year-old guard, Jordan Poole, many people did not really see a reason for the Wizards to bring back a veteran like Kyle Kuzma.

The Washington Wizards have made contradicting moves involving Kyle Kuzma and the rebuild

After a good season last year where he averaged 21 points and 7 rebounds, he quickly became a top name on the free agent market when it looked like the Washington Wizards were going to dive headfirst into a youth movement and rebuild.

Then, out of nowhere, Kuzma ended up resigning with the Wizards on a four year contract worth up to $102 million. This move caught a lot of people both nationally and locally by surprise especially after rumors of the forward having interest from the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings.

With the move coming as such a surprise, many pundits believe with a rebuilding roster, that Kuzma will be on the move again very soon, and the reason they signed him was to immediately turn him into a trade chip.

Now, although he may not necessarily spend his entire contract in DC, it is also not certain that he will be an immediate trade piece. Leaving the possibility that his tenure may end up lasting somewhere in the middle.

Let’s take a look.