We’re rounding up all of the trade rumors surrounding the Washington Wizards leading up to the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline. Be sure to check back, as this page will be updated through the February 9th deadline.
Conflicting Reports on Kyle Kuzma’s Availability?
While there have been reports that the Wizards are likely to deal Kuzma, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype hears that the team views Kuzma as a “big part of the future.”
The forward rotation in Washington is a bit crowded with Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija both healthy, though the former Lakers continues to see a healthy amount of playing time for the struggling Wizards (15-21 as of this writing).
- Date: 12/28/22
- Source: HoopsHype
Wizards Offered Rui Hachimura In Trade Talks?
The Wizards reportedly had discussions with the Suns about Jae Crowder and made an offer that included Rui Hachimura.
Phoenix declined the offer, though Washington is among several teams (including the Bucks, Heat, and Hawks) that are in the mix for Crowder.
- Date: 12/23/22
- Source: Marc Stein on Substack
Wizards Remain Committed To Building
The Wizards remain committed to building around Bradley Beal, who inked a five-year, $251 million contract this past offseason.
Despite some noise indicating that the team could trade Beal (to a team like the Lakers), Washington wants to upgrade the pieces around Beal and continue with a “middle-build” strategy.
Beal has a no-trade clause anyways, so any deal the team would decide on has to be approved by Beal himself. Robbins indicates that the front office maintains a strong relationship with the shooting guard, something that has been the case since Tommy Sheppard took over the franchise reins.
- Date: 12/21/22
- Source: Josh Robbins of The Athletic
Bradley Beal Linked To Lakers?
Bradley Beal is in the first year of a five-year, max contract with the Wizards, though that is not stopping chatter about him potentially playing for another city. ESPN’s Zach Lowe has heard some varying opinions from executives around the league, though some believe that Russell Westbrook and a pair of first-round picks would be enough to pry Beal from Washington.
“I asked through the lens of like, ‘Is Russ and the two unprotected picks, is that fair value for Bradley Beal?’” he said when talking about his discussions with executives around the league. “And if you asked 25 people around the league, you would get everything from…you’d get some people saying, ‘Oh my god no, Bradley Beal is a top 25 player, multiple time all-NBA player. That’s not even close to requisite value for Bradley Beal.’ And then you’d get another group of people who’d be like, ‘Honestly, anything the Wizards can get to get off of that contract, they should probably do it.’”
- Date: 12/17/22
- Source: ESPN’s Lowe Post
Hawks Eyeing Kyle Kuzma
Atlanta reportedly has interest in trading for Kuzma. There isn’t much traction on a deal at this time, though Washington has been linked to John Collins in the past.
- Date: 12/12/22
- Source: Shams Charania of The Athletic
Kuzma Wants Out Of Washington?
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report hears that Kuzma would prefer a trade from the Wizards.
“He wants out,” an NBA source said told Pincus. “He’s looking for over $20 million a season and in a big market (or with a contender).”
Several teams have interest in trading for Kuzma, though it’s unclear if Washington has settled on trading the forward. The former Laker will be a free agent at the end of the season.
- Date: 12/10/22
- Source: Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report
Porzingis Update
Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the Wizards at last season’s deadline, appears to be at no risk of leaving the franchise.
“One hundred percent. One hundred percent. I love the city. I love the organization. People around the organization,” Porzingis said when asked if he wants to stay with the Wizards long-term. “…You never know what happens in the future, but I’m enjoying my time here so far and hopefully I can stay here long term.”
- Date: 12/6/12
- Source: Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports
Wizards Interested In Jae Crowder
The Wizards are among the teams with interest in Jae Crowder, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, who mentioned the rumors on a late November episode of his podcast. Washington has several players on mid-sized salaries who could be inserted into a trade.
Phoenix reportedly wants a power forward in any deal that sends Crowder outbound. Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, and Kyle Kuzma could be potential fits.
- Date: 11/30/22
- Source: Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com
