THE Wizards of Washington They’ve lengthy been rumored to be concerned with buying and selling veteran ahead Kyle Kuzma earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline.
Kuzma, 29, has been out since Nov. 27 with bruised ribs, inflicting him to overlook the staff’s final 11 video games.
Nevertheless, it is not simply Kuzma’s accidents that maintain him from being traded. NBA insider Jake Fischer says his contract has some facets undesirable for the Wizards.
“Kuzma’s wage is $26.5 million due to his unbelievable bonuses, in comparison with his $23.5 million cap hit for industrial salaries…and that is earlier than you additionally issue within the Kuzma’s 15% commerce kicker For the latter, if Kuzma have been to be dealt immediately, his wage would enhance by a further $2 million, billed to the staff that trades him, ” Fischer writes.
It stays to be seen whether or not this extra sum of money will represent an impediment to negotiations. Provided that his wage is already excessive, this in all probability will not be a giant deal. Accidents are in all probability a bit extra of a priority.
Moreover, Kuzma’s wage decreases every year underneath the deal, which lessens the blow of the extra cash introduced within the commerce. Kuzma makes $23.5 million this yr, however that quantity drops to $21.4 million subsequent yr and $19.4 million in 2026-27, the ultimate season of the contract.
Groups will at all times be concerned with Kuzma on condition that he is usually a scorer each within the beginning lineup and off the bench. He additionally has quite a lot of positional versatility and playoff expertise, and that is what the Wizards is anticipated to push as they start negotiations with rival groups for his providers.
THE The wizards the following recreation is tomorrow towards the New York Knicks at 7 p.m. ET.
