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Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks circling Kyle Kuzma, other Wizards ahead of trade deadline

By Sean Keane | Last updated 1/22/24

The Dallas Mavericks have made a deal at the trade deadline for seven straight years. This year, they're looking at some Washington Wizards.

Marc Stein reported on Substack that the Mavericks "inquired with Washington about its willingness to part with forward Kyle Kuzma" ahead of February's NBA trade deadline. They've also reportedly "made past inquiries" about Wizards center Daniel Gafford and forward Deni Avdija.

There's pressure on the Mavericks to upgrade the frontcourt because their former starter at power forward, Grant Williams, has been "not good."

Grant Williams admits he has been "not good" this season.

First 8 Games: 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 52.9% FG and 52.9% 3P

Last 30 Games: 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 37.0% FG and 30.4% 3P

Read more: https://t.co/zf01YKAMtB
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) January 22, 2024

That's why Kuzma is such an enticing option. The 28-year-old is averaging more than 21 points per game for the second straight season, a huge upgrade offensively on Williams and Derrick Jones, Jr. He's a great fit alongside rookie center Dereck Lively II, a great shot-blocker whose offensive game is limited to roughly the five feet around the rim.

Can the Mavericks afford Kuzma? Financially, he's a great fit. Kuzma is in the first season of a four-year, $90M deal, but the deal gets cheaper each season. He's making $25.6M, but for 2026-27, his yearly salary is down to $19.4M.

The issue is meeting Washington's desire for quality first-round picks, something it didn't get in deals for Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis last summer. Dallas owes picks to the New York Knicks (2024 or 2025), the Brooklyn Nets (2029) and the San Antonio Spurs (2023 pick swap) in future years, meaning the only first-rounder it could trade right now is its pick in 2027.

The Washington Wizards are reportedly looking for better quality draft picks in exchange for Kyle Kuzma than the ones Toronto received for Pascal Siakam, per @TheSteinLine

“The Wizards, sources say, want at least two first-round picks for Kuzma. And the implication is they will… pic.twitter.com/87LfC02cYK
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 21, 2024

The Mavericks are clearly comfortable dealing with the Wizards, having traded Porzingis to Washington at the deadline in 2022, for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. A year before the Mavericks won their only title in 2011, Cuban and Co. traded with the Wizards for DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler, all key members of Dirk Nowitzki's supporting cast. A few years earlier, Dallas sent Antawn Jamison to Washington for rookie point guard Devin Harris.

Washington has all the leverage in a potential Kuzma deal, as he's signed for three more seasons. That could mean Dallas sets its sights on the more affordable Gafford and/or Avdija. Or, it could talk to the Knicks.

The first-round pick Dallas owes New York is protected for picks 1-10 this year and next. But Dallas could reach an arrangement with the Knicks to remove that protection, which would free them up to include more picks in a Kuzma deal.

The Wizards are about to have a fire sale. The Mavericks are historically one of their best customers. Don't be surprised if Kuzma is in Dallas in two weeks.

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