Contract situation means Golden State Warriors should wait on any Kuzma interest

The Golden State Warriors’ early season struggles have led to a lot of rumours around who the franchise could target before the February 9 trade deadline.

Last month, Sam Esfandiari of Bleacher Report and the popular Light Years podcast, suggested that the Warriors deal youngsters James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma.

Kyle Kuzma’s contractual situation makes it difficult to envisage a trade between the Washington Wizards and Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have dealt with a plethora of on and off-court issues this season, with the latest being a shoulder injury to superstar Stephen Curry. The Finals MVP’s absence could accelerate a trade manoeuvre given the team sits at a precarious 15-18.

Golden State haven’t seen the development of their youngsters come into fruition just yet, though Kuminga has shown plenty of promise and signs of increasing consistency in the past few weeks. It makes Esfandiari’s suggestion seem like way overs, however he could be substituted out of the trade for fellow second-year player Moses Moody.

Golden State could also use Donte DiVincenzo instead of Moody, and might be hoping to get Daniel Gafford back as well for some insurance at the center position. You can never, and I do mean never, have too many athletic three-and-D wings. Esfandiari says as much when discussing why the Warriors might target Kuzma.

"‘In Kuzma, 27, the Warriors would be getting a 6’9″, two-way wing who they would use as an anchor of the second unit as well as a closing lineup member in between Wiggins and Green in their small-ball lineups.’"

Kuzma has likely already waved goodbye to the Wizards fanbase, with the former Laker headed towards opting out of his $13 million player option for next season. But owner Joe Lacob and general manager Bob Myers haven’t lost their direction for this team or sight of Stephen Curry’s legacy, and they will play the hand they’re dealt.

Lacob loves Wiseman and Myers knows if Kuzma is going to be a future Golden State asset, his price might be upwards of $20 million per season plus the extra luxury tax burden. It’s for this reason that they’ll likely wait on Kuzma and retain Wiseman, Moody and DiVincenzo.

Perhaps if Draymond Green opts out of his guaranteed $27 million dollar deal and moves elsewhere during the offseason, then Myers could push his chips (Wiseman, Moody etc.) to the middle of the table. Even then, Golden State can’t orchestrate a sign-and-trade as their a luxury tax paying team, meaning they’d have to wait until Kuzma’s trade eligible again on his next contract. Note, Green’s money evaporates should he walk and so the Warriors wouldn’t then be able to outright sign Kuzma or any other player to replace the four-time champion.

While the Curry Legacy cultists are screaming for Myers to make a deal, too many of these potential targets, like Kuzma, are on expiring deals. This ultimately makes it difficult to give up a former number two overall pick for someone who could prove to be a three-month rental.