Despite widespread beliefs that the Washington Wizards had no serious intentions of trading Kyle Kuzma before the deadline, sources from The Athletic reveal that they came “close” to finalizing a deal.
The offer in question likely originated from the Dallas Mavericks, who ultimately opted for Daniel Gafford from the Wizards and PJ Washington from the Charlotte Hornets.
In their pursuit, the Wizards set the bar at a minimum of two first-round picks as a requirement for trading Kuzma. Washington places a higher value on Kuzma’s on-court performance and his off-court intangibles than the market indicated.
Adding to the dynamics, Kuzma’s contract exhibits a descending pattern each year, diminishing from $23.5 million for the 2024-25 season to $21.5 million in 2025-26 and further reducing to $19.4 million in 2026-27.
Wizards Were 'Close' To Trading Kyle Kuzma To Mavericks https://t.co/jGmXgl7GRc
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 9, 2024
