Insider Report: Wizards Take Kyle Kuzma OFF The Market

It appears that the biggest impact of the Washington Wizards trade earlier Monday with the Los Angeles Lakers is the realization that breakthrough star Kyle Kuzma will not be going anywhere. At least, as far as the Wizards are concerned. 

The Washington Wizards are telling teams that Kyle Kuzma is NOT available for trade, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/Euz6KIvn67

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 23, 2023

Per NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Wiz have told teams that the impending free agent is NOT available for trade. 

As speculated earlier today, the trade of Rui Hachimura is the clearest indication yet that the Wizards are "increasingly confident" that they will indeed be able to re-sign Kuzma to a long-term contract in the offseason. 

The Wizards' increasing determination to trade Rui Hachimura, who is now headed to the Lakers, is a reflection of their increasing confidence in being able to re-sign Kyle Kuzma this summer, league sources.

More to come here: https://t.co/LGN9cVpMwn

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2023

Kuzma's play this season—a career-high 21.8 points per game, along with 7.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists have solidified him in the Wizards' future plans. 

Hachimura and the Wizards were unable to agree on a rookie extension prior to the season and trade became more likely as Kyle Kuzma solidified himself as a priority to sign to a long-term deal in the Wizards front court.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 23, 2023

And according to insider Adrian Wojnarowki, when the team was unable to agree on a rookie extension with Hachimura before the season, it was inevitable that he would be dealt. The Wizards are expected to be up against the luxury tax threshold once—IF—they are able to re-sign Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis this coming summer. 

According to Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype, Kuzma is well aware of the dream role he has playing off Bradley Beal and Porzingis in Washington. “I love playing with those guys. I see how easy it is for me."

Those words could indeed portend a Kuzma re-signing in DC come the offseason. 

Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports