by Kyle Kuzma will be a free agent when the league’s annual offseason shopping period begins next week.
Kuzma has declined his $13 million player option with the Washington Wizards for next season, a person with knowledge of his decision said Tuesday, meaning he will be a free agent. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither party disclosed the move.
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Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena on March 8, 2023 in Washington, DC. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
ESPN first reported that Kuzma had declined the option. The move was not a surprise: Kuzma had told The Washington Post and The Athletic in December that he did not plan to exercise the option, and given what he will command in the market, his decision makes sense.
Kuzma is coming off the highest scoring season of his six-year career. He averaged 21.2 points for the Wizards, who are finalizing a trade that will send three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. Kuzma may be able to return to Washington in a much more lucrative deal; $13 million for someone averaging 20+ points per game would be an absolute steal.
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Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against DeAaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings at Capital One Arena on March 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Free agency opens June 30.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday that guard Gary Trent Jr. has exercised his $18.5 million option for next season, meaning he won’t have a chance to become a free agent.
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Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 18, 2023 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
Trent averaged 17.4 points last season for Toronto, his third consecutive season averaging at least 15 points.
During his five-year career with the Raptors and Portland, Trent, the son of former NBA guard Gary Trent, has averaged 14.4 points.
