The Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in Kyle Kuzma, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (subscription required). It should be noted that the Wizards, who are presumed to hold his rights, have still not acknowledged the trade as part of the Russell Westbrook trade last Thursday, which they also have not acknowledged specifically. That said, he has more or less said he was a Wizard last weekend.
From the Timberwolves’ side, Krawczynski noted that Gersson Rosas, the Timberwolves’ President of Basketball Operations, has been interested in Kuzma for some time. Kuzma averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Lakers last season and was part of their 2019-20 team that won the NBA Finals.
For the Wizards, they will have to determine whether he or Rui Hachimura are a better fit at power forward since I don’t see both players together in the long hawl. They also are combo-forwards of sorts who can remind us of Antawn Jamison. So far, Kuzma has had the better production and career, but he’s also two years further along in his career than Hachimura, who has been a solid presence in his own right.
Who would you want in exchange for Kuzma, who is entering the first year of a three-year, $39 million contract? Let us know in the comments below.