Kyle Kuzma Trade Rumors: Wizards' Asking Price of 2 1st-Round Picks is 'Overblown'

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding what the Washington Wizards want in return for forward Kyle Kuzma in a potential trade.

According to David Aldridge and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, league sources have said the Wizards want two first-round picks in exchange for Kuzma, but sources close to the team have indicated that the reported asking price is "somewhat overblown."

Aldridge and Robbins noted that the true asking price for the 28-year-old is "probably somewhere in the middle."

Washington acquired Kuzma from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 and subsequently signed him to a four-year, $90 million contract extension this past summer.

With the re-signing of Kuzma and the acquisition of guards Jordan Poole and Tyus Jones, there was some hope that the Wizards could be playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference this season, but that hasn't been the case.

At 9-37, they have the second-worst record in the conference ahead of only the 6-40 Detroit Pistons.

Kuzma has been among the Wizards' only bright spots this season, leading the team with 21.9 points per game to go along with 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 three-pointers made per contest.

The veteran's scoring and assist numbers are career bests, plus he is currently matching the best mark of his career by shooting 45.6 percent from the field.

Given his offensive ability, Kuzma would likely be of interest to contending teams leading up to the Feb. 8 trade deadline, although his contract presents a bit of an issue.

Kuzma is scheduled to earn an average of over $20 million per year for the next three seasons, and there may not be many teams willing to take on that type of financial commitment.

Because of that, the Wizards may have to settle for less than two first-round picks if they are indeed motivated to move Kuzma.

Kuzma's contract is a solid value considering what he has produced this season, although he likely wouldn't be a 20-point-per-game guy as the third scoring option on a playoff team.

The Wizards are going nowhere fast and are likely best off building through the draft and around young players currently on the roster such as Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly.

Trading Kuzma would likely bring back at least a couple of valuable assets, and it would give the Utah product a chance to contend rather than wallowing on a cellar-dweller that is likely years away from contention.