The Washington Wizards made no significant alterations to their lineup last week during the NBA trade deadline. However, it appears that they came very close to trading their top player away. According to The Athletic, the Wizards were on the verge of sending Kyle Kuzma to the Dallas Mavericks. The deal was almost finalized, but Kuzma himself put an end to it because he believed that the team did not align with his future plans. In an interview with Josh Robbins, via NBACentral, Kuzma explained that his focus is not just on contending for a playoff spot, but on contending for an NBA championship. He expressed that only a handful of teams are true contenders and felt that the Mavericks did not fit into that category. Kuzma’s decision to stay in Washington was honored by the Wizards, as he expressed his desire to remain in D.C. because he believes it gives him a better chance at another championship ring. Having won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, Kuzma understands the exhilaration of victory and is determined to experience it again. However, he is not willing to commit to any team unless they are ready to compete for the NBA Finals and win. While the Wizards may not be that team, Kuzma remains open to the possibility of leaving for the right destination. He mentioned that there are currently only three or four contenders in the league, leaving everyone to wonder if any of them will be interested in signing the star player. Due to the Wizards’ willingness to trade Kuzma and his comments, all eyes will be on him during the offseason to see if he departs from Washington. The question remains whether he will find his way back to a true championship contender.
According to the Source thecoldwire.com