Trade Rumor: Mavs, Wizards 'Mutual Interest' for Kyle Kuzma Deal?
The Dallas Mavericks have been on the hunt for frontcourt upgrades, but so far, a deal hasn't materialized with the NBA trade deadline just 10 days away. However, with each passing day, trade talks among front offices will pick up, and there are several players out there who could help the Mavs.
One of those players is Washington Wizards' Kyle Kuzma, who is a versatile 28-year-old forward averaging 22.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. According to HoopsHype, the Mavs are a logical destination for Kuzma ahead of the trade deadline.
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"All three of (Derrick Jones Jr., Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell) could find themselves in the middle of a Kuzma trade package, one which is not the simplest to assemble considering the Mavericks’ limited expiring mid-size salary and even-more-limited control of their future draft picks. Realistically, in terms of their draft picks, Dallas can offer its 2027 first-round pick and Toronto’s 2025 second-round pick, or perhaps one or more of the trio of Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Josh Green or Jaden Hardy," Mark Deeks writes.
"All of those should have some appeal to the Wizards, at least. The harder part would be making the finances work. The Mavericks would surely love to just pair the oversized contracts of Kleber and Richaun Holmes ($23,046,020 combined) and tack on the sweeteners from there, but neither contract has positive value, and doing so would mean extra sweeteners."
As good of a fit as Kuzma would be on the Mavs, one has to wonder if spending that 2027 first-round pick now would be worth the strain of how hard it would make potential trades later on. If the Mavs could find a way to get more bang for their buck, like say, getting fifth-year big man Daniel Gafford as part of a deal, that would make parting with that 2027 first-round pick more palatable. Luka Doncic could be an unrestricted free agent in 2026, and if he decides to leave Dallas, that first-rounder would be extremely valuable.
"Nevertheless, there is scope for a deal here, and perhaps some mutual interest," Deeks continued. "Even though they need center help, frontcourt defense and rebounding – for none of which a player like Kuzma would not be the answer – the potential talent infusion for the Mavericks is apparent, and they could score with anyone. And as will be seen, much as the Wizards may want two first-round picks for Kuzma, other potential suitors may struggle to offer one."
Stay tuned to DallasBasketball.com in the coming days for more Mavs-related trade rumor updates.
