Kyle Kuzma Rumors: Mavs Have 'Registered Consistent Trade Interest' in Wizards Star

Could Kyle Kuzma make his return to the Western Conference this winter? It's possible.

The Dallas Mavericks have "registered consistent trade interest" in the Washington Wizards veteran ahead of the NBA's Feb. 8 deadline, according to league insider Marc Stein.

Kuzma joined the Wizards in a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021 and he signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the franchise ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Washington entered the season with hopes of contending for a playoff spot after retaining Kuzma and acquiring Jordan Poole from the Golden State Warriors, but they are likely to miss the postseason for the third straight year.

Kuzma is among the top trade candidates this winter with the Wizards struggling to a 9-38 record, which is the second-worst mark in the Eastern Conference.

The Athletic's David Aldridge and Josh Robbins reported Wednesday that the Wizards want two first-round picks in exchange for Kuzma. However, they added that sources close to the team have suggested that the asking price is "somewhat overblown."

Washington's true asking price for Kuzma is "probably somewhere in the middle," Aldridge and Robbins noted.

Kuzma has put together a solid season despite Washington's struggles and he would be a good addition for any title contender. He's averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 47 games while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from deep.

The Mavericks could use an upgrade at the power forward position, too.

Dallas acquired Grant Williams in a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics during the offseason with the intention that he would serve as the team's starting power forward, but he hasn't necessarily met expectations, and Kuzma would undoubtedly be an upgrade.

The Mavericks sit eighth in the Western Conference with a 26-22 record and are hoping to secure a playoff berth after missing out on the postseason during the 2022-23 season. Adding a player like Kuzma could help them better contend with the league's top teams.