There has been a ton of buzz this summer regarding whether or not the Washington Wizards could trade Kyle Kuzma, as they are in the midst of a massive rebuild.
At 28 years old, Kuzma would be a valuable piece on lots of contenting teams around the league, but that’s not where the Wizards are at right now, so trading him would make a ton of sense.
That said, they don’t have to move him. They could simply keep him around, and he would help them stay in some games. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, it would take multiple first-round picks to get the Wizards to trade Kuzma.
5 Teams that should trade multiple first-round picks to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma
With that in mind, here are five teams that should be willing to cough up multiple first-rounders to get Kuzma on their team.
1. Sacramento Kings
There has been some smoke around the idea of the Sacramento Kings bringing Kuzma on board after completing a sign-and-trade for veteran forward DeMar DeRozan.
Kuzma’s scoring and rebounding would fit in nicely with the rest of their team, and they could roll out a huge lineup that includes Kuzma, DeRozan, and Keegan Murray next to De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.
2. Golden State Warriors
Recent rumblings have indicated that the Golden State Warriors have some interest in adding Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, and Kuzma would be the next-best thing.
The 28-year-old forward would give them an extra scoring punch in the frontcourt, and for a team that’s been deep in the tax for years, he’s on a relatively reasonable contract.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
Despite the fact that they were toward the bottom of the Western Conference last year, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a prime position to compete next year. Kuzma would help them do that.
A lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Kuzma, Jaren Jackson Jr., and perhaps rookie big man Zach Edey has the potential to be a force in the West.
4. Dallas Mavericks
Adding Klay Thompson was the Dallas Mavericks’ big offseason move, but maybe they shouldn’t be done just yet. Kuzma’s perimeter scoring and rebounding would be very useful.
As the Mavericks look to repeat the success they had this past season, reaching the NBA Finals, a lineup that includes Kuzma, Thompson, Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Dereck Lively II could go far.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
After re-signing Donovan Mitchell to a max contract, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be doing everything possible to improve the roster around him, and adding Kuzma would do that.
They would gain a lot more versatility in the frontcourt. They could ditch the double-big lineup, rolling with Kuzma next to one of Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen, or play all three of them next to Mitchell and Darius Garland.