According to Marc Stein’s substack, the Sacramento Kings are once again interested in acquiring the services of Kyle Kuzma.
The Kings are another Western Conference contender, like Dallas, known to be Kuzma fans. The Wizards, though, are under no real pressure to trade Kuzma in this transaction window. Not with Kuzma in Year 1 of a four-year, $90 million contract that pays out $25.6 million this season but descends all the way to $19.4 million in Year 4.
This rumor should come as no surprise to Kings fans, as Sacramento has been linked to Kuzma throughout the entirety of Monte McNair’s tenure. First, there was the blown Buddy Hield-Kyle Kuzma trade of 2021, followed by the Kings trying to trade for Kuzma at the 2022 trade deadline (alongside, surprise, suprise, OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam), followed by the Kings pursuing Kuzma in free agency this past summer.
The Kings might just have a crush on Kyle Kuzma, and the attraction makes sense, especially when comparing Kuzma’s skill set to that of the struggling Harrison Barnes. While Kuzma isn’t the floor-spacer that Barnes is, as his career and current season average of 34% from deep doesn’t exactly intimidate defenders, the rest of his package far outpaces that of Sacramento’s current starting forward. Despite an ill-earned reputation as a ball-stopper, Kuzma actually averages 4.2 assists per game, and his assist percentage of 21.5% (Barnes sits at 5.6%, second-lowest on the team), would rank 4th on the Kings, a few percentage points behind De’Aaron Fox. Kuzma is also a much better rebounder than Barnes, averaging 6.4 boards to Barnes’ 2.8, and his ability to cut behind defenses and snag easy buckets, or score in isoloation, isn’t a feature Barnes has displayed in quite some time.
Contractually, Kuzma’s deal is also quite attractive. As Stein mentions, his deal is declining, and 29% of his contract will be paid out this season. He’s owed $23 million next year, $21 million in 2025-2026, and $19 million in his final season. There is almost no risk in the contract itself, unlike other wing options such as Jerami Grant or Andrew Wiggins, allowing the Kings cap and second apron flexibility as Sacramento’s core grows more expensive.
Fit-wise, there are two primary concerns with Kuzma, although neither will likely preclude the Kings from making a trade if agreement on value can be reached. First, Kuzma, while not a ball-stopper, can be a bit of a chucker. He’s currently averaging 21.9 points per game, very impressive at first glance, but he’s needed 18.8 field goal attempts to get to those 21.9 points – not exactly a bastion of efficiency. As a third-to-fourth option in Sacramento’s offense, the hope would be that Kuzma’s shot volume decreases, while his efficiency increases, but that’s a bit of a risk for Monte McNair and Mike brown to take on mid-season. If he’s willing to sacrifice individual numbers to join a winning situation, an attitude he didn’t display in the offseason, Kuzma would be a fantastic upgrade for Sacramento.
The second challenge in a Kuzma acquisition is Sacramento’s dire need of a single individual not named Keegan Murray to care about defense. The Kings need both a defensive-minded player and a defensive quarterback, and it’s unlikely that Kuzma can fill either of those roles perfectly, especially the latter one. During the Lakers bubble championship run, Kuzma showed himself to to be a competent, versatile wing defender, but there’s been no evidence of those skills lately, and with most of the of the current Sacramento rotation not playing defense, it takes a bit of squinting to see Kuzma regaining that form with no defense being played around him.
Outside of Kuzma’s positives and challenges as a contributor, the final question in Sacramento’s pursuit of the Wizards forward is what exactly they’re willing to pay for his services. The current asking price is two first round picks, according to Marc Stein, and while that price may come down as the deadline approaches, it’s well known that several other teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, would also like to add Kuzma’s firepower to their roster. The Kings, a team with almost no desirable, likely-to-be-traded assets outside of future first round picks, which are already limited by the protected 2024 first rounder owed to the Atlanta Hawks, may have to pay a steeper premium than those with more flexible assets.
It’s clear that the Sacramento Kings believe that Kyle Kuzma would provide an upgrade to the starting lineup, and that belief is likely accurate, and Kuzma’s potential acquisition will certainly come down to what price the Kings are willing to pay, as was the case in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
I look at Kuzma and think, yes he’s better than Barnes. Just not sure he’s who I want to blow all my assets on for a team whose biggest need is defense.
Kuzma’s contract is nice (declining too). Need to know that he’s okay being the 3rd/4th option on offense and willing to be play d.
Definitely a good contact. And he should be tradable. Just means that we’ve used up two first round picks.
Quite right. I watch the Wizards a lot. Kuzma is capable of playing solid defense, but he only occasionally decides to give it a go.
He is also capable of being a good passer, but that means passing up shots himself. And Kuz never has seen a shot that he doesn’t like. Problem is that he hits shots at a supbar clip.
Not just now, also when Beal and Porzingis and Westbrook were his teammates, and also when he was a Laker.
Kuzma has a mamba mentality but the venom of an earthworm.
But if you like inconsistency, Kuzma is your guy. He will sandwich a 15-19 shooting night between two 5-19 nights.
He’s better than Barnes, but that doesn’t say a whole lot. Is he a better fit and worth the price, should be the question.
If Kuzma is on the Kings, he would probably have a different role. on the court when hot; reduced minutes when cold. It sounds like the Kings organization likes the fit of his playstyle, but maybe not in all circumstances. I can see the Wizards wanting to trade him to allow guys like Coulibaly to develop, so he might be available without having to give up picks.
re: Barnes, why is he not getting to the line this year? that was one of his most valuable skills. just sort of vanished.
Kuzma is probably more a threat offensively to other teams because he will actually take a shot, unlike Barnes who just kinda stands there.
If Kuzma would move and cut more, his size would allow him to finish at the rim better then Barnes. His mentality would need to change, knowongbthatbhebwill get “his” by finding easy shots within the offense. That said, not sure he would he would be open to that idea.
I’m not sure either. just considering him in a role similar to Terence Davis last year, but at the wing/forward position.
My current preference or rumored available assets:
Thybulle and Grant>Caruso>Wiggins>Kuzma
It all comes down to defense for me, and Wiggins outpaces Kuzma in that category, despite contract a down year.
I’ll add Kuzma is not just a chucker as Tim said, he’s 9th in usage IN THE ENTIRE LEAGUE among qualifying players clocking in a 30.2%. I really worry if he’d be willing to go from first chair (the dude has higher usage than Poole) in DC to 4th banana in Sac. That’s another reason I give Wiggins the edge.
When it comes to contract, yes his isn’t bad; it’s even declining. The Kings are just above the cap so if getting someone who is just a bit more, in Grant or Wiggins, shouldn’t be an issue unless Vivek is not willing to spend to win. It would be nice to be a top 15 team in spending, because it takes that to win.
This is my concern with Kuzma too. And I honestly don’t see any reason to think he’d become more efficient with lower usage. His TS% and eFG% have been extremely consistent for his entire career, and not in a good way. That includes his lower usage days in LA.
I’m also put off by the fact that as bad as the Wizards are, they’re 8.4 points per 100 possessions worse with Kuzma on the floor. Part of that is because he’s going up against the other team’s starters, and part of it is just how bad the Wiz starting lineup is, but it’s certainly not a good thing. And that number was almost exactly the same (-8.5) his last year with the Lakers.
If the Kings trade for him, I’ll believe that Monte sees something I don’t, but I’m not sure I even believe the rumors. This Kings FO is notoriously tight-lipped, so if there are rumors about them being interested in Kuzma, those rumors are coming from somewhere else. Which means they may not actually be real.
Solid points, and I agree. I just don’t want somone competeing with Fox and Sabonis for touches. I share a similar concern with Grant, but I think he’d fall more in line than a personality like Kuzma. I’ll also add, I’d only want Grant if he comes with Thybulle.
Right. Do Monte and Brown believe they are the ones to get Kuz to change?
Like how they think they can get this Kings team to defend…..?
I hope Monte knows what he’s doing because the Kings need defenders who don’t need the ball and can shoot. How does Kuz fit this?
I agree with this. I don’t really want Kuzma as I think the assets needed to be given outweigh the potential gains. If it’s Kuzma for Barnes straight up, sure.
What about Herb Jones if it is true the Pelicans would make him available?
No idea why they would trade him, and no idea what they would want from the Kings in return. He is better than any King, outside of Keegan, Fox, Sabonis.
The Pels are super deep with great talent, the problem for them is that they will need to pay those players to keep that talent. My guess is they want cap space to re-sign Jonas and possibly extend Murphy III and Alvarado. Maybe they are thinking long term about contracts and role and they see Herb as expendable?
If that is the case, then the Kings need to get him.
If he’s even really available, he’s gonna cost picks and expirings. My guess is the Pels would want Monk for a playoff run, and 2 future picks, plus filler.
Monk + Colby and picks might get it done. I wouldn’t empty the cupboard of 1sts for someone who projects to be the 4th best player on the team, but I’d be compelled to cough up one and maybe a couple seconds, too.
The Pels and OKC are in similar predicaments you mention of having essentially too much talent spread across the roster and still a boatload of incoming draft picks for years; they can only pay so many of these guys. If I am a GM, I am poaching their rosters.
Wiggins sucks. That’s too big a risk to take given his contract.
a rebuttal:
1.) Does Wiggins suck? He’s not playing as well as this time last year, but this time last year it would’ve been unthinkable that the Warriors would ever trade him to Sac. Buying low on a reclamation project that could end up a legit two-way player who fits the timeline seems like a gamble worth taking.
2.) His contract isn’t that onerous, especially if we’re moving Barnes/Huerter/Monk as part of the deal. Moreover, if a guy like Moody is added to the deal for the Warriors to get off that contract, then you’re essentially getting two quality two-way players for the price of one.
3.) Does it have to be Wiggins? Could we maybe take CP3 + Moody for Barnes and Huerter? By the time CP3’s contract expires, you’d expect Fox, Moody, Keegan, Lyles and Domas to be your core with a lot of financial flexibility around them. In the meantime, CP3 is pretty inarguably the greatest backup point guard in the league, and likely of all time.
Okay, why is Lyles considered part of your core? He is a replaceable backup PF who hasn’t really even played that well season. I like him, don’t get me wrong, but he does have the disappearing act happen quite often.
Core is too strong of a word. I meant more “these are the building blocks of the rotation.” Lyles is of course expendable should a deal come around, but I like him a lot. He strikes me as a Bobby Portis type. A backup forward whose versatility, BBIQ, and hustle goes very far in moments when you need it most. Those are not guys you like to dispense of thoughtlessly. But perhaps I am overestimating him.
Okay, that makes sense. He is fine, but if an offer was on the table to upgrade the roster, I think he would be fine to include in trades. Solid player, does some nice things.
of those players, I’d put Thybulle last. he’s not a skilled player on offense.
Agree on all points except that I don’t believe Caruso is gettable (at least not at a reasonable price). I’d also take Wiggins + Moody/Podz/TJD over Thybulle and Grant.
I have heard that the Pels are trying to free up money before having to pay Trey Murphy. Could Murphy or Herb Jones be available? If Jones is available, he immediately soars to my #1 trade target.
Murphy and Jones are fairly similar players, right? Wonder why they might want to keep one over the other.
Murphy is more of a pure scorer, and Jones is more of an elite defender. If I were the Pels, Murphy is the one I’d move. But if they want to send us a 25-year old perennial All-Defense candidate that is fine by me.
I’d rather not. However, if we were to segue that into something else in the off season I wouldn’t hate it. I wouldn’t like it at first, though. Unless it actually led to wins, which I doubt very much.
Kuzma loses here the same as he does everywhere else.
Agreed, Kuzma doesn’t improve our defense and it’s very likely that he will try to take as many shots as Fox and Monk will. I worry about the poor shot selection and the willingness to pass the ball. Additionally, Grant is not the best option either, given the huge contract and the low rebounding numbers. If we can get Grant with 1 first rounder and Thybulle included, then that’s totally fine. Two first round picks is too much for both of these players.
Here’s the order of players we should go after (I will assume that Portis is not an option) the following since they play some defense:
These player should cost us less than Grant and Kuzma and make more impact on the defensive end. These are all Monte-type of trades because it won’t cost us a lot of money in the next 2-3 years or require more than 1 first rounder.
We need a player that will defend and not be a negative on offense.
I like this. Instead of giving up future firsts right now, trade for players that won’t cost a first and may just need a change of scenery.
I know KH has struggled but he’s still a shooter. The Magic need shooting, I could see a deal being made there.
I too think Jalen Smith could be had, especially with at addition of Pascal to their roster. He’s the odd man out with a player option next season.
Jalen Smith has become incredibly intriguing to me. Really fits the mold of a guy that could play next to Domas, and play small ball 5. If he can be had for a reasonable price, Kings should jump on him.
Davion for Kuzma doesn’t work.
Any other trade and KaNGz fans will literally explode.
Ellis for 1990 Jordan and 1986 Magic is a garbage deal. Monte is dumb if he does it.
Hot Take Thoughts:
Kyle Kuzma King is a bad acronym…
Keegs and Kyle has a nice alliterative ring to it, however.
Kuzma is a SF
Murray is a 3.5 SF/PF (more 3 than 4 IMO).
A rebounding big body who can space the floor would go a long way to providing relief and aid for Domas. Kuzma ain’t that.
A lockdown defender in the backcourt (i.e. Marcus Smart, DeJonte Murray, Dillon Brooks) or in the frontcourt (i.e. Mikal Bridges, O.G. Annunoby or Matisse Thybulle, Dorian Finney-Smith, Lou Dort or Herb Jones in the SF category, Aaron Gordon, Jaden McDaniels at PF)
It’s a shame that a superior defender like Ben Simmons doesn’t/can’t play anymore.
It’s a disappointment that Kessler Edwards can’t make the step up on offense (shooting, decision making) – I was impressed with him at times last season.
Trading away Barnes isn’t likely to acquire most anyone of those guys. Moving him to the bench is more likely.
Free Agency 2024 has Saddiq Bey, Patrick Williams, Kyle Anderson, Bruce Brown, Royce O’Neal, Gordon Heyward, Grayson Allen, Kelly Olynyk, De’Sean Tate among others (like Malik Monk)
That makes them trade deadline fodder this season. Maybe there’s something there.
When I read about high profile trades- Sacramento is rarely mentioned, like in Free Agency. The Sac Tax exists.
Reminder: Kuzma spurned the Kings in free agency for the Wizards; and that will need to be explained away so
Washington gave Kuzma more more than Sacramento could have offered. Hard to blame the guy for getting his money.
I have concerns with Kuzma, but my hope (if the Kings trade for him) will be that his time on one of the league’s worst teams will make him appreciate a good team and he’ll be willing to do the important things for winning. My fear is that he’ll just remain the same gunner.
Definitely a risk.
Mikal Bridges would be my preferred target.
Kuzma has a larger than life, ‘look at me’ off-court attitude I would avoid.
This team needs defense and hustle; not puffy jackets and oversized sweaters.
I assume the report is from the agents side to pressure up the offer the Wizards eventually receive from Dallas.
We would have to give up at least three firsts for Mikal; not happening.
I heard that the Heat are looking to trade Kyle Lowry’s expiring contract. Would Lowry + Jovic for something like Barnes/Duarte/Davion and some picks get that done?
I look at the heat and they mainly need healthy bodies. All 3 of those Kings are generally healthy and would help the Heat in some way.
But Jovic might be a guy they see as a future “guy” for them, so it may not happen. Lowry would take the ballnout Monk’s hands (which is probably a gold thing on most nights, lol)
I like the fit of HB and Davion in MIA. I think they would be better players in that system.
As an aside, don’t know how Jaime fell to the Heat, that dude can play. Went well before our pick, but I was hoping he would fall to us.
We should concentrate on trying to get Thybulle, Caruso or Grant. Anything else is just rearranging the deck chairs.
I personally like Herb Jones with Miles Bridges second and a combination of Thybulle AND Grant (compiments of Adamsite) third. Harris is too old. Doesn’t fit the tyimeline. Still like Tari Eason.
Miles or Mikal Bridges?
If Miles, then hard pass. He is a piece of sh!t person and shouldn’t ben in the league based on his actions off the court.
Mikal would very complimentary to this team and out them much higher up in the pecking order of the Western Conference.
Miles. It doesn’t seem to me you would be willing to give a player a chance. I would first do my homework and talk to and ask and listen to those close to Miles including players and coaches. Maybe he has made a turn for the better. People do do this you know and if he has then he would be a great fit for the Kings.
Miles would be a good buy low candidate and shouldn’t cost a first, good fit at the 4 as well.
I think both Jerami Grant and Tobias Harris make much more logical sense to target than Kuzma. Sometimes the beat moves are the ones you wait for. Blowing our last remaining assets on kuzma is a bad idea. I think it dooms us to mediocrity for the foreseeable future which is the prime of Domas and Fox
If we skipped out on Pascal for worries of cap restraints, Kuzma is a sensible addition with that logic in mind compared to Harris and Grant. He is making average starter money, in a year to two possibly 6th/7th man money. Compare that to the increasing contract of Grant which is 36 million in 2026, to Kuzma’s 19 million the same year and your talking about a lot more flexibility and cap space to absorb Keegans extension by then, a plus bench add on FA or starter trades with our other upper mid levels. As example combine the amount saved and Huerter’s deal off the books in 26 thats 35 million of hypothetical cap space.
I get why people might favor Grant or Harris, but I think when you factor the additional flexibility Kuzma provides on a declining deal personally he clearly is top of the pecking order. He doesn’t negate a future max addition (albeit maybe by trade with firsts attached to get him). I would hope that meaningful basketball would warrant a bit of the bubble skills than what’s been on display at the capital. I think there’s a decent passer and defender in there still. And maybe some of the Wizards isolation could do damage as a scoring option staggered with starters.
IDK I would be fine standing pat this season but personally a Grant or Harris deal would make me very scared. Thats locking the team to what they are for the next four years for not an all NBA talent like Siakam would have. Kuzma may have his flaws but he keeps so many more avenues open to improving because of his contract.
The Kings are going to be over the cap with the inevitable Keegan and Fox extensions, so if Vivek is unwilling to spend more on better fitting talent then we might as well give up on this team ever being competitive. A team really needs to be a top 15 in spending if they are serious about competing. The Kings are currently 23rd and are spending like a team rebuilding with youth, which they are not.
Lastly, trading for Kuzma is likely going to cost the Kings a pick or two because of his more favorable contract to production ratio. Grant, on the other hand, will not. I don’t believe anyone is going to offer a pick for his increasing contract that roles through 2028. If anything, the Blazers may need to attach assets (Thybulle, please) to his deal.
Grant at 36M vs. Kuzma at $19M plus a pick or two is worth it, IMO.
Grant at 36M vs. Kuzma at $19M plus a pick or two is worth it, IMO.
I agree. Save future picks for a bigger fish. A Grant trade would also get us out of KH and HB’s contracts which I think Port would look at as guys they can flip later on.
I would agree if Grant doesn’t have draft equity in a deal, that changes things. Personally though I don’t think Grant is moved without a pick attached. Yes, maybe Kuz takes additional stuff (how much compared would change my POV), and then in that case thats a fair distinction that changes the discussion. But I don’t see why Portland would move Grant without future incentives. The cap hit isnt a hindrance, they are terrible anyway. Yes the deal increases but its not like its costing them sitting on him or they dont have other tradable assets if they want to clear some room. And any deal with us likely wouldn’t be getting them immediate cap relief anyway. I don’t see the urgency on their end.
I would agree that operating above the cap is an inevitability for any serious contender (a huge reason why I advocated for Siakam regardless of the next deal’s #). But personally that doesn’t negate being studious on when you clear the line and where your expenses are outlaid too. Clearing the ceiling with who and when is a crucial calculation, and or still acquiring assets that are movable regardless. Looming Fox and Murray extensions will vault us, but in the meantime a little room saved could help. It’s hard to play out hypotheticals but considering how clean our yearly salaries are, it’s not hard for me to conceive moving space or dumping higher mid levels if another opportunity became available. What does the pick cupboard look like in supposed options is a worthy question, but good contracts are helpful for a reason.
Just say yes the cap hit internally isn’t really a distinction for us if we have cleared the ceiling anyway, but what number the contracts are at still does matter in relation to our ability to maneuver our roster with the league generally. But point taken on the pick expense I just don’t think it would have all that much separation in deals for either, but could be wrong.
I am with you on Portland not needing to move Grant, they’ll likely only do so for a good young front court player (they’d like Rupert & Murray to get more real court time).
I also completely agree with your take on the bigger picture of asset collection and contracts in how teams must operate within the new rules regarding being above/below cap aprons.
Disagree about Kuzma though, IMO, he’s is not a basketball player that contributes to winning.
I don’t think Portland moves Grant without decent compensation (a good FRP or quality young front-court player), but I’d much rather have him than Kuzma.
Perhaps it makes sense to stand pat this season and see how the team does and then make major moves in the offseason.
Maybe the rest of the season KH and HB play better and increase their trade value.
It just doesn’t seem like there is a legit deal to be made right now. So keep the powder dry for the offseason. Kuzma isn’t going to equate to being able to compete with the top dawgs anyways. He has a favorable contract, if we could get him without giving up a first I would trade for him, but it’s going to take at least one first which I would prefer to keep for a bigger splash.
Ugh, hard no on Kuzma, and as much as everyone is down on Barnes, I’m not sure Kuzma is actually any better. His numbers are certainly bigger at much, much higher usage, but I’m not sure he’s much of a net upgrade given his propensity to chuck at low efficiency and at best equal defensive effort/ability.
Yeah, I’m with you on this.
This is the stage where desperation creeps in and some front office personnel (and fans of course) begin talking themselves into something that they’d normally never do just because a change is needed. Resist the temptation Monte, be patient and stay ready to pounce on the right opportunity.
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