KAT’s career-high 27 boards lead Wolves by Pels

Ahead of last Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, there was a point with the Washington Wizards were close to trading Kyle Kuzma to the Dallas Mavericks. Even though Kuzma doesn’t have the ability to block a trade, Washington’s front office leader Michael Winger presented him with the trade idea anyway.

“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me,” Kuzma told The Athletic on Monday, before the Wizards played the Mavericks at American Airlines Center. “(Michael) Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”

Winger later said that Kuzma is an important part of what the Wizards are building.

“Kyle’s an important player for us and (a) significant contributor to our developing culture,” Winger told The Athletic on Monday.

The Chicago Bulls will waive Adama Sanogo from his Two-Way contract, reports Chris Haynes. Sanogo will be out at least the next four weeks with a knee injury.

Sanogo, who went undrafted in 2023 out of UConn, has appeared in four games with the Bulls this season.

Sanogo has also appeared in 22 games with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 16.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.1 minutes.

In a related move, the Bulls will sign Jahmir Young to a Two-Way, reports Michael Scotto. Young has averaged 22.4 points, 7.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds in the G League.