Day: January 24, 2023

The Washington Wizards trade of Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Lakers has many speculating about their roster plans moving forward. From all indications, those plans include keep Kyle Kuzma in Washington.

The Wizards have reportedly told interested teams that Kuzma is not available in trade discussions. That includes the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, who have had various trade talks with Washington in recent weeks.

Kuzma hasn’t committed to anything beyond this season, as far as his future goes. Kuzma holds a $13 million player option for next season that he’ll surely decline. Signing an extension with the Wizards is likely off the table, because such a deal wouldn’t pay him near his market value.

Evan Fournier’s second season with the New York Knicks has been a frustrating one. He’s appeared in only 20 games and was removed from the rotation in mid-November.

Fournier has only played when New York has been down other guards and wings. That’s now where Fournier wants to be at this point in his career.

“Best-case scenario, I want to stay here. I want to play here,” he said. “I had a bunch of different choices in free agency, and I wanted to be a Knick. I love New York. I wanted to play for (Tom Thibodeau). So, I’d love to stay, but I’d love to play.”

Fournier is owed $18 million this season, $18.8 million next season, before the Knicks hold a $19 million team option for 2024-25. That makes trading the veteran wing a tricky proposition. And asking for a trade isn’t something Fournier wants to do, but he knows he can still help a team on the court.

“I’m in the best shape of my career. I should be in my prime. I am in my prime,” he said. “You want to play, for sure. Especially as a competitor. It’s not like I forgot how to play. Last year I had a different role and somehow, I was able to break a 30-year-old franchise record. So, I am going to find a way to adapt to any situation.”