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The Wizards have an obvious way to maximize Kyle Kuzma's trade value

Kuzma could finish the season in Washington.

By John Canady

Nov 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) defends in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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The Washington Wizards received plenty of interest in forward Kyle Kuzma over the offseason. Despite calls from inquiring teams, general manager Will Dawkins opted to bring back the veteran and see his fit alongside the Wizards young roster.

Washington not only decided to stand pat with Kuzma in the offseason, but both the Wizards and the forward mutually agreed to decline a trade offer last season that would've landed the Utah product with the Dallas Mavericks.

Obviously, Kuzma remains on the Wizards roster today, but his future in Washington has seemed up in the air for some time now. Brian Keefe's squad sits at the bottom of the league with a 2-11 record and the Wizards have shown no signs of snapping their nine-game losing streak anytime soon.

In addition, Kuzma is 29-year-old and it doesn't take a mathematician to figure out the versatile wing doesn't fit the timeline of the Wizards rebuild as the team continues to stock up on young talent. With that being said, it won't come as a surprise to see Kuzma's name floating around in trade rumors, especially as the NBA Trade deadline approaches in February.

And while many may think the Wizards should move on from the playmaker this season while he still has plenty of trade value, there could be scenario in which it makes more sense for Washington to keep Kuzma on the roster until the end of the season before they decide his future in D.C.

Kuzma staying put in Washington could make sense

Sure, the Wizards could make a deal to send Kuzma to a contending team before this season's trade deadline, but with the new CBA guidelines, it could restrict how much in return the Wizards could get for the talented scorer.

Ultimately, Washington could likely get young players and draft assets for the veteran. There could even be a few offers that offer another solid vet that has matching salaries to get the deal done. However, in the middle of the season, the new CBA rules restrict how many contending teams can make offers for Kuzma.

Almost immediately, teams like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, etc. would have a hard time making any move to make a blockbuster trade happen due to them being over the second apron. In addition, other contending teams would have a hard time making a deal happen too.

That said, if the Wizards hold Kuzma until the 2025 offseason, allowing him to play extended minutes and showcase what he has to offer, his value could increase and more teams could be able to put together packages that may entice the Wizards to make a move.

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