The Washington Wizards’ resolution to commerce Bradley Beal to the Phoenix suns signaled that the franchise was hitting the “reset” button.
Which means Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis will doubtless be on the transfer as properly. Whereas the latter has a $36 million participant choice that he’ll inevitably choose in to earlier than being traded, the previous can be opting out of his $13 million participant choice and grow to be an unrestricted free agent.
In the intervening time, it looks like six groups have the within monitor to nab Kuzma.
In response to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz are all within the hunt for his companies.
The Pacers have been linked to Kuzma for a while. As reported by NBA insider Evan Massey, there may be actual curiosity there. With Myles Turner and Buddy Hield each doubtless being on the transfer, it looks like the group needs to rebuild round younger stars Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin.
Kuzma, who’s simply 27 years outdated, might be an ideal supplementary piece.
The Houston Rockets are one other squad to regulate.
“You’ll be able to chalk up Kuzma as one other ahead who’s being related of late to each Indiana and Houston as a possible free-agent goal,” Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports reported this week.
With Ime Udoka taking the franchise over, the Rockets have already been linked to 1 blockbuster commerce this week. Between that and James Harden’s potential return, Kuzma may slide in properly as a quantity scorer in Houston. Plus, in contrast to a few of his different suitors, the Rockets have a ton of money to pay him.
Kuzma has spoken fairly fondly of Gregg Popovich up to now, so the San Antonio hyperlink is sort of pure. The Spurs are going to get Victor Wembanyama within the 2023 NBA Draft, and there’s a good probability they could purchase one other star to pair with him.
This might present Kuzma with the distinctive alternative to get in on the bottom ground of one thing particular early on.
The Kings may additionally make some sense. Sacramento is a squad on the come-up within the West. Kuzma would offer them with prompt offense and the championship expertise they desperately wanted within the first spherical final season in opposition to the Golden State Warriors.
Kuzma’s historical past with the Lakers is a matter of public report. He has spoken fairly brazenly about how he feels concerning a potential return.
Lastly, the Jazz have been linked to Kuzma for months now. Time will inform if something finally ends up materializing there, because it appears like he can be extra inclined to go together with one of many different obtainable choices.
To this point this offseason Kuzma has primarily been making headlines for his social media exercise and intimate photos together with his woman.
The pictures converse for themselves. https://t.co/TGyPHFXZmn
— Sport 7 (@game7__) June 20, 2023
However quickly he’ll choose out of his deal and the actual work will start.
The place will Kuzma in the end be enjoying come the start of subsequent season? Time will inform.
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