5 reasons why Wizards must trade Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma is one of the Washington Wizards' trade pieces. Unfortunately for them, the 2020 NBA champion's play on the court hasn't exactly had teams lining up to make a move for him.

As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the growing belief is that Washington will continue to shop Kuzma in the trade market for teams looking to bolster their offensive production off the bench.

As teams continue to monitor Kuzma's status in Washington, here are five reasons why the Wizards should look to move on from the 29-year-old forward.

5 reasons why Wizards must trade Kyle Kuzma

1. Abysmal play

In 17 appearances this season, Kyle Kuzma is having the worst season of his career. He has been an efficiency nightmare this season, shooting career-lows in field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage, free-throw percentage, player efficiency rating and true shooting percentage.

2. Injury concerns

Kuzma has missed time for bruised ribs, last suiting up for the Wizards on Nov. 27.

Kuzma has been durable throughout his career, appearing in at least 60 games in each of his first seven seasons in the NBA, but the injury bug is stinging the Wizards forward this season.

3. Aging player on rebuilding roster

This season, Kuzma is Washington's fifth-oldest player and is playing on the second-highest salary on the team.

By the time Kuzma finishes his four-year, $90 million contract, he will be 31 on a team in desperate need of future assets to speed up its rebuild. In his eighth NBA season, Kuzma's trade value is only declining as he gets older.

4. Undesirable contract

As their second-highest-paid player, Washington likely hoped for stronger play from Kuzma to start the season.

One of the Wizards' biggest reasons for looking to move off Kuzma's $23.5 million cap hit in 2024-25 is his contract. A deal like Kuzma's is one that a rebuilding team in Washington should look to avoid as he pushes 30 by the end of the season.

5. Moderate trade market

Despite the previous four reasons, there will still be teams calling about Kyle Kuzma as the trade deadline approaches. If there’s ever been a time for the Wizards to move off Kuzma, it’s right now.

Teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are reportedly in the market for Kuzma and could offer young assets to Washington.