Washington Wizards

Kyle Kuzma could have been traded to the contending Dallas Mavericks at the NBA's trade deadline, but in a rather surprising decision, he opted to remain with the struggling Washington Wizards.

Speaking with NBA insider Marc Stein, Kuzma said he declined a trade to the Mavericks because he felt like it wasn't the right time for him to move on from Washington:

I just felt like, you know, we're all on such different timelines in our lives. Although I have good relationships in [the Dallas] organization, this wasn't probably the right time for me in my career — especially just trying to build something here. That's something I don't shy away from. So I think that was the biggest factor. Also there's not too many contending teams and going to the right situation is always the most important thing in the NBA.

While Kuzma doesn't have the ability to block a trade, Wizards president Michael Winger presented him with an offer that would have sent him to Dallas. Kuzma told Winger he wanted to remain in Washington.

"There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me," Kuzma told The Athletic's Josh Robbins on Monday. "Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn't want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it."

Kuzma declining a move to the Mavericks, who are in the thick of the playoff race, had many fans questioning why he would want to remain with the Wizards, who are 9-44 and are on pace to miss the playoffs for the third straight season.

The 28-year-old provided a little more insight into his thought process while speaking with Robbins:

In my career, I won a championship. So, I understand that when we play this game of basketball it's not about contending for a playoff spot. It's about contending for an NBA championship. There's only like three or four contenders — true contenders. I just felt like our timelines didn't line up.

Kuzma won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and was traded to the Wizards in August 2021 as part of the Russell Westbrook deal. He agreed to a four-year, $102 million extension with Washington ahead of the 2023-24 season.

With Kuzma saying he wants to continue to "build something" in Washington, it's worth wondering what the franchise is building.

The Wizards have the second-worst record in the NBA and while they have talented young players like Bilal Coulibaly, Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert, Washington isn't on pace to match some of the NBA's younger franchises in the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.

At this point, it's unclear what direction the franchise is headed in, but Kuzma is obviously comfortable with where he's at despite the team's shortcomings.

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has divulged that Wizards president Michael Winger gave him the choice of whether he wanted to be dealt to the Dallas Mavericks prior to last week's NBA trade deadline.

Speaking to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, the 28-year-old discussed the situation and said he wanted to remain in Washington:

"There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me. Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn't want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it."

Per Robbins, Kuzma does not have a no-trade clause in his contract, but Winger told him he would give him input into potential trades unless the offer was too good to pass up.

Winger essentially confirmed the discussion he had with Kuzma regarding Dallas' offer, saying:

"Kyle's an important player for us and [a] significant contributor to our developing culture. His commitment is necessary for us to achieve our competitive and environmental objectives. Under the circumstances, I wanted to check in with his belief to continue leading us. He reemphasized his desire to forge ahead, and we're honored to have him."

Kuzma signed a four-year, $90 million contract to remain with the Wizards during the offseason despite knowing the team was potentially bracing for a rebuild following the trades of Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis.

Had Kuzma accepted the trade to Dallas, he would have gone from a Wizards team that has the second-worst record in the NBA at 9-44 to a Mavs team that is 31-23 and has a chance to contend in the Western Conference.

However, Kuzma suggested he didn't view the Mavericks as an immediate title contender:

"In my career, I won a championship. So, I understand that when we play this game of basketball it's not about contending for a playoff spot. It's about contending for an NBA championship. There's only like three or four contenders—true contenders. I just felt like our timelines didn't line up."

Kuzma also expressed appreciation for how Winger and the Wizards handled the situation on deadline day:

"Winger, he's been very straightforward with me ever since my first meeting with him. He's a very blunt person, and I am, too. So, I think our relationship has been very positive because of that. You know, not every player can say that. Especially in this business, a lot of things are very passive-aggressive, non-confrontational. A lot of times, a lot of front offices leave a lot of players a little confused on the ground level, and that hasn't been Winger at all."

Kuzma has been among the only bright spots this season for a team that figures to be in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft.

In 52 games, the one-time NBA champion is averaging a career-high 21.8 points per contest to go along with 6.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.3 three-pointers made. He is also shooting 45.6 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from beyond the arc.

The former Los Angeles Lakers forward is the Wizards' best player this season by a significant margin, and while trading him may have landed them some quality assets, it would have taken the team even deeper into the doldrums.

Since he is signed for multiple seasons, keeping him around as the centerpiece could be good for the franchise in terms of speeding up the rebuilding process.

Kuzma ensures that the Wizards already have one solid contributor in place, meaning that if they get it right in the draft over the next couple of seasons, they will have their core in place and a chance to return to playoff contention.

The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals had been hoping to relocate to a new arena, but it doesn't sound like that will be happening anytime soon.

Per ESPN, Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas said Monday that proposed legislation to help facilitate the relocation of both franchises to northern Virginia is dead, as far as she's concerned.

Lucas, who is described as "a leading Democratic Virginia legislator," is the chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.

She said on social media over the weekend that legislation for the deal was "not ready for prime time" and wouldn't receive a hearing in her committee, which effectively killed the legislation in the Senate due to this week's procedural deadline. Another bill is reportedly "making progress" in the House of Delegates, which is also controlled by the Democrats.

In December, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and entrepreneur Ted Leonsis, the CEO of the teams' parent company, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, announced that they "reached an understanding" on a deal to relocate the Wizards and Capitals. The proposed new site in Alexandria, Virginia, is just a few miles away from where the franchises currently play in Washington, D.C.

However, according to ESPN, "Lucas on Monday said [Youngkin] had made a series of mistakes in trying to advance the deal through a General Assembly now in full Democratic control after November's elections." Lucas also voiced concerns over the House version of the bill due to the financial burden it will create for taxpayers.

"As long as the full faith and credit of the commonwealth is backing this project, my answer continues to be an absolute no," Lucas said.

Still, Rob Damschen, communications director for Youngkin, said in a statement that Youngkin "remains confident" that the Assembly "will come together because this project is good for the entire Commonwealth."

Monica Dixon, a top executive at Monumental, said in a written statement Monday that the company is having "healthy discussions" with General Assembly leaders and Alexandria City Council members and was encouraged by Friday's vote in a House committee where the bill passed 17-3.

"This project will deliver tremendous benefits for the City of Alexandria and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, including tens of thousands of new jobs and billions in revenue and economic impact," Dixon said.

The Washington Wizards reportedly nearly traded forward Kyle Kuzma to the Dallas Mavericks ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline before deciding to hold on to him.

According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, the Wizards were "close" to accepting an offer for Kuzma, and it is believed the Mavs were the team that almost landed him. Robbins added that the Wizards wanted a "home run offer" and were asking for at least two first-round picks in exchange for Kuzma.

Per ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Mavericks offered a 2027 first-round pick as part of a deal for Kuzma, but when talks broke down, they used that pick, Grant Williams and Seth Curry to acquire forward P.J. Washington from the Charlotte Hornets instead.

Kuzma, 28, was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Wizards in 2021, and this past offseason he signed a four-year, $90 million contract to remain in Washington.

It has been a nightmarish season for the Wiz, who have the NBA's second-worst record at 9-41, but Kuzma has been one of the few bright spots.

In 49 games, he is averaging a career-high 21.9 points and 4.2 assists to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 three-pointers made per contest. He is also shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from long range.

Given that the Wizards are not in line to be contenders any time soon, considering the idea of trading a veteran under contract for multiple years was understandable.

Kuzma also made a lot of sense as a target for the Mavericks, who were seemingly looking for more scoring to support the superstar backcourt of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.

The Mavs didn't find the third star they were in search of, but they were active at the deadline, acquiring Washington and completing a separate trade with the Wizards for center Daniel Gafford, who is under contract through 2025-26.

The Wizards made fewer moves than expected Friday, as the Gafford deal was their only trade, meaning impending free agents like Tyus Jones and Delon Wright could walk for no compensation during the offseason.

While it can be argued that hanging on to them was an error, the decision to keep Kuzma could yield greater returns down the road.

Lowe noted that contending teams will have the flexibility to potentially offer more first-round picks for Kuzma during the offseason than they could have during the 2023-24 campaign.

Kuzma should continue to hold value as a 20-point-per-game scorer, and it stands to reason that Washington will get the type of offer it was looking for during the offseason since it didn't settle for a lesser one at the deadline.

Two days away from the NBA trade deadline, the Washington Wizards have set their asking price for Tyus Jones.

Per The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski, the Wizards are believed to be seeking a first-round draft pick in exchange for the 27-year-old point guard. NBA insider Marc Stein also reported that Jones and Delon Wright are "increasingly considered more likely" to be traded before the deadline than Kyle Kuzma.

The Los Angeles Lakers are among the teams that have been keeping tabs on Jones' status.

Krawczynski noted the Minnesota Timberwolves have shown interest in Jones, especially because of how similar his style of play is to Mike Conley Jr.

Adding Jones would also allow the T-Wolves to pull back on some of Conley's minutes with six back-to-backs on the schedule after the All-Star break.

The asking price of a first-round pick could be prohibitive for several teams, including the Timberwolves and Lakers.

Even though Minnesota has first-round picks in 2024, 2028 and 2030, league rules prevent the team from trading any of them because it already sent a 2023 first-rounder to the Utah Jazz and still owes picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029, along with a 2026 pick swap, as part of the Rudy Gobert trade.

Teams are prevented from trading two consecutive first-round draft picks, and they can't trade picks more than seven drafts in advance. The next first-rounder the Timberwolves will be able to deal is in 2031, but they can't use it until after the 2024 draft.

The Lakers are in a similar position because of picks they still owe in trades, but they do have their 2029 first-round selection to include in a deal. Jones is a good player who addresses a need they have, but that pick might be too rich for their liking since it's the last big chip they have to play if they remain insistent on not moving Austin Reaves.

It would be a surprise if Jones doesn't get traded before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET deadline. He's in the final season of his contract with a $14 million expiring salary, and the Wizards own the second-worst record in the NBA (9-40).

Jones is averaging career-highs in points (12.2) and assists (6.3) per game. He's also shooting a career-best 49.1 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three-point range on 3.7 attempts per game.

The Milwaukee Bucks are still getting settled in with new head coach Doc Rivers, but the team is pushing to improve their roster ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, the Bucks have been aggressive in the trade market to get some pieces around star Giannis Antetokounmpo and improve their roster to prepare for what will be a tough run through the Eastern Conference come playoff time.

"After switching head coaches midseason, the Bucks remain committed to improving their roster, 'shopping hard for help,' as described by one league source with knowledge of the situation," Fischer wrote.

According to Fischer, Washington Wizards shooting guard Delon Wright has been on the Bucks' radar as a possible target. Wright is averaging 4.4 points, 2.8 assists and two rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game off the bench.

According to Fischer, the Bucks are limited in the trade market with the No. 35 pick, Pat Connaughton and Cam Payne being the short list of assets available for an outgoing package. Milwaukee would need to include big man Bobby Portis in a deal to land a big-name player, according to Fischer.

"Milwaukee has limited options of outgoing packages, with the No. 35 pick, Pat Connaughton and Cam Payne as the Bucks' most likely outgoing scenario, sources said, and Bobby Portis would need to be included for Milwaukee to chase a bigger salary player like Dejounte Murray, Bruce Brown or Andrew Wiggins, sources said," Fisher wrote.

Portis is averaging 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds off the bench, and the 10-year veteran has become a part of the Bucks' core and played an integral role in their 2021 Finals run.

The Bucks are in a good position ahead of this week's trade deadline, sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference at 33-17, just behind the Boston Celtics, who have the league's best record.

Still, Milwaukee's desire to improve its roster is valid. After winning it all in 2021, the Bucks have failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the last two seasons. Last season, they were eliminated by the Miami Heat in the first round.

Now, the Bucks may try to bolster their roster as they look to make a Finals run.

Several teams are reportedly eyeing Washington Wizards point guard Tyus Jones ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

The Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves have all shown interest in the 27-year-old, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

Scotto noted that interested suitors would need to part with a future first-round pick in order to acquire Jones, as Washington's front office is "open" to re-signing him in restricted free agency at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Despite the Wizards' abysmal 9-40 record this season, Jones has been an effective lead guard who has shown to be a proficient three-level scorer despite not taking a high volume of shot attempts. In 49 starts, he's averaging 12.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three.

He's a crafty scorer who relies on a deadly floater to remain efficient against opposing rim-protectors. In fact, his 51.4 percent shooting mark on non-restricted area attempts in the paint represents the second-highest mark on Washington's roster (via NBA.com).

Jones is also a mistake-free passer, as his 7.07 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks No. 1 in the association among players averaging at least 20 minutes per game (min. 10 games played).

While the Wizards appear open to retaining him, it makes sense that they'd entertain potential trade offers. With his age and the team's overall record, he doesn't particularly fit the timeline that the organization seems to be on. He'll also likely command a hefty salary in free agency, as he's shown to be a capable backup on the Memphis Grizzlies while proving that he can maintain his percentages as a starter as well.

Given his versatility, it's easy to see why playoff teams such as the Timberwolves and Magic view him as a trade option. When you factor in his immensely impressive assist-to-turnover ratio, it's also clear that point guard-needy teams such as the Nets and Spurs would be interested in his services.

Bradley Beal made sure to make his return to Capital One Arena a memorable one.

The former Washington Wizard scored 43 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 140-112 victory in his first game back in D.C.

Beal finished the game having shot 16-of-21 from the field and 4-of-5 from behind the arc.

The performance marked the fourth-most points ever scored by an NBA player in their first game against their former team, according to ESPN Stats and Info and Marc J. Spears.

What a return to D.C. for Bradley Beal ‼️

🔥 43 PTS
🔥 16/21 FGM
🔥 4/5 3PM

The Suns put up 140 points and get the W. pic.twitter.com/WkP4x8bwQ5

— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2024

Bradley Beal in his first game back in Washington 🔥

43 PTS (season-high)
16-21 FG
4-5 3PM

What a return to DC. pic.twitter.com/v4QTDcVEjz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 4, 2024

Bradley Beal now has a 30-point game against every team in the league, doing so today against his former Wizards squad.

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) February 4, 2024

Those 43 points marked a season high for Beal, as well as his highest-scoring outing since his 50-ball against the Indiana Pacers in May 2021.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkic added a triple-double to the victory with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Wizards forward Deni Avdija was the only member of the home team to record more than 20 points in the Wizards' loss.

Bradley Beal looking like his former self, playing against his former team.

All he needed to get back in his groove.

— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) February 4, 2024

This is the version of Beal who takes the Suns over the top as an offense... playing aggressive, creating his own shot, killing mismatches

— Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14) February 4, 2024

https://twitter.com/EasySunnySniper/status/1754270904341901328

when they say they’d rather have Austin Reaves than Brad Beal pic.twitter.com/jrCx1ZJkn6

— Jordan Go-Kart⚜️ (@J_Kartch) February 4, 2024

Beal was celebrated during the game with a tribute video:

3x All-Star.
Community Assist Award Winner.
The Real Deal.

Join us in welcoming back to The District, Bradley Beal. 💙 pic.twitter.com/8ygLdtbPMB

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 4, 2024

Bradley Beal tribute video. #Suns #Wizards pic.twitter.com/OBUqrLZyOd

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) February 4, 2024

His performance later sparked a round of applause led by Suns head coach Frank Vogel.

Bradley Beal checks out to a standing ovation 👏👏

43 PTS on 16/21 FGM in his 1st game back in The District!

Suns-Wizards on NBA TV
📲 https://t.co/pFHU8oW5UF pic.twitter.com/HGm6i2bd3d

— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2024

Bradley Beal subs out with 43 points on 16-of-21 shooting and gets a great ovation from Wizards fan. Cool to see Frank Vogel helping get that going as well

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) February 4, 2024

I love how much these Wizards fans cheered for Beal today. You know it means so much to him, too. 🥹

— Shoshana Simones (@ShoshanaSimones) February 4, 2024

The Suns improved to 29-21 with the victory as the team heats up, having gone 15-6 in their last 21 games.

Amid trade buzz surrounding Washington Wizards power forward Kyle Kuzma, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly prioritizing landing power forwards over small forwards, per NBA insider Marc Stein.

According to Stein, Dallas is looking for more size to aid its defensive struggles. Kuzma along with Charlotte Hornets power forward PJ Washington, have emerged as possible trade targets for the Mavericks.

"Dallas has been frequently mentioned as a potential trade suitor for both Washington's Kyle Kuzma and Charlotte's Washington in recent weeks and are still, I'm told, prioritizing power forwards over small forwards in its quest to address the team's size and defensive shortcomings," Stein wrote.

In his third season in Washington, Kuzma is putting up 21.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as the Wizards struggle, sitting at 9-39 on the year.

While the Mavericks have thrived on offense this season behind star Luka Dončić, their defense has struggled and is a big reason why the team sits in eighth place in the Western Conference. This season, Dallas has the 24th-ranked defense with a 117.9 rating.

The Mavericks' lack of size is certainly an issue, with just a handful of true big men on the roster. Adding the 6'9" Kuzma could help their issues to some extent.

Dallas could also have a valuable option if it trades for Washington, who stands at 6-foot-7 but brings solid defense, averaging 0.8 blocks this season. Kuzma would give the Mavericks more of a scoring option, as Washington averages just 13.6 points per game, but they would also likely pay a higher price for Kuzma.

Whatever direction the Mavericks decide to go, it's clear some additional help on defense could be what they need to get to the next level.

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.