Trade: mega deal, Kings sign in another NBA super star from Washington Wizards on two years contract
An NBA journalist suggested that Kyle Kuzma be acquired by the Sacramento Kings from the Washington Wizards in the upcoming offseason.
The following trade proposal was put forth by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey for the Kings and Wizards:
The trade included Kyle Kuzma, Sasha Vezenkov, Chris Duarte, and Trey Lyles in exchange for a 2029 first-round pick.
At the trade deadline this season, Kuzma piqued the curiosity of the Kings.
NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype predicts that leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft, competing teams will be looking to trade for Kuzma once more.
Bailey commented, “He might even be good enough to start over Harrison Barnes.” “And with Sasha Vezenkov (who has a team option for 2025-26), the Kings basically have a third contract with him, which they may offer to the Wizards in exchange for Trey Lyles and Chris Duarte. The Wizards have a ton of financial freedom just from that. Although Kuzma has a fair contract, it expires in 2026–2027 and he will still be paid $19.4 million throughout that time.
“This is a fair haul for a soon-to-be 29-year-old volume scorer who has never had an above-average true shooting percentage, getting out from under that and eventually adding a first-round pick.”
Kuzma shot 46.3% from the field, 33.6% from outside the arc, and 77.5% from the free-throw line this season while averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists for the Wizards. Next season, he will earn $23.5 million.
This year, the Kings and Wizards did not make the playoffs. Sacramento’s score was 46–36, and Washington’s was 15–67.
With the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings, Kuzma has averaged 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists throughout his career. With the Lakers, he took home the NBA championship in 2020.
According to Scotto, the Wizards will try to purchase another first-round selection in 2024 NBA Draft, where they own the No. 2 and 26 picks.
Kuzma, who turns 29 in July, would be more appropriate as a member of a playoff squad.
While Sacramento was one victory away from qualifying for the playoffs this year in the play-in round, Washington is far from being a postseason team.
READ MORE:
The Sacramento Kings’ pick in the 2024 NBA Draft may be influenced by Malik Monk’s future: Insider
The 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft went to the Sacramento Kings. When the Kings are in control, they will have a lot of options to select from, such as whether to select a player or trade it for additional assistance.
Malik Monk’s impending free agency could influence the Kings’ selection, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
“With Malik Monk set to enter unrestricted free agency and potentially price himself out of Sacramento, the Kings could look at several guards here, including Duke’s sharpshooter Jared McCain and Providence’s stout defender and emerging offensive threat Devin Carter.”
To help them in their postseason run, the Kings might give Monk the money he desires. Nevertheless, it might be more cost-effective to use the draft to locate a player who has the potential to become even more talented than Monk at a reduced cost.
In Sacramento, monk’s development has advanced really well. So much so that they might risk losing him to a developing Eastern Conference team like Orlando that has the financial means to tender him an offer.
Because Malik Monk is a free agent, the Kings have one clear edge.
This offseason, Monk could be a flight risk, but the Kings have one advantage over any possible rival. When the offseason starts, they will have first dibs on Monk. They have the option to offer him a four-year contract worth up to $78 million, according to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report.
It wouldn’t be remarkable if the Kings had already talked about Monk’s future contract in some capacity with him, given NBA teams’ propensity to discuss contracts with free agents before free agency even starts—or at the very least, planned to do so before they’re technically permitted to.
The Kings’ choice on draft night may have a significant impact on Monk’s future with the franchise, as Scotto noted. Though it wouldn’t be completely ruled out, it would raise serious doubts about Monk staying if they select a player whose skill set and build are similar to his.
They may be confident that Monk will be around for the long run if they select a player without any of his skills in the draft. Although losing Monk wouldn’t be an easy pill to swallow, it also wouldn’t be fatal.
Sacramento still missed the playoffs by the narrowest of margins, and their prospects of making it back are good. Although Monk has contributed to their success over the past two seasons, the Kings should feel confident moving forward regardless of whether the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is present or not if they play their cards well.
