Wizards' Kyle Kuzma Not Traded at Deadline Amid Rumors About Contract

Kyle Kuzma is still a member of the Washington Wizards after the 2023 NBA trade deadline, which passed at 3 p.m. Thursday.

Now, the question turns to whether the Wizards will be able to re-sign him in free agency this upcoming summer.

Kuzma, 27, has been fantastic in his second season with the Wizards, averaging a career-high 21.3 points along with 7.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest. Despite his individual success, the Wizards have limped to a 25-29 record in the tough and deep Eastern Conference.

Kuzma plans to decline his $13 million player option for the 2023-24 season and doesn't plan to sign an extension with the Wizards this season. Between that and their ongoing struggles, reports began to emerge about whether Kuzma might be available via trade during the season.

Kuzma always made sense as a target for contenders. He was a solid option off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers during their run to a title in the 2019-20 season, averaging 10.0 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

He found himself coming off the bench for that team, with both Anthony Davis and LeBron James capable of playing the 4, Kuzma's ideal position. But the veteran forward has established himself as a productive starter in Washington, and the team clearly views him as an important piece as it attempts to build a consistent winner around star guard Bradley Beal.

Despite the in-season buzz that he could be moved, Kuzma is sticking with Washington. Whether that continues beyond this season will be a major storyline this summer, although the Wizards are clearly hoping for a long-term partnership.