Trade Deadline: Washington Wizards wants an exaggerated return for Kyle Kuzma

The talented forward Kyle Kuzma has been targeted as one of the most interesting players on the move before the trade deadline. However the price that the Washington Wizards are demanding for him seems to be a little inflated, complicating negotiations.

That's how The Athletic's Josh Robbins put it. Apparently, the Wizards' two first-round draft picks for Kuzma have caused all the teams that were interested in trading for him to back off, at least until Washington decides to change its mind on the matter.

Kyle Kuzma had been linked to two contenders in the Western Conference: Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. However, neither franchise is so desperate to compromise its future to the point of letting go two valuable first-round picks for a Kuzma who would arrive to be, in both options, the third best player on the roster. The former NBA Champion is averaging 21.9 points and 4.4 assists per game.

In a season in which the Washington Wizards are a leading contender for the 1st pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, as they rank 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 9-38 record.