The biggest news in the NBA yesterday was Rui Hachimura‘s move from the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers.
By committing to the trade, the Lakers have put their faith in a young star who still has a chance at achieving greatness.
And the Wizards have decided who will be the centerpiece of their team moving forward.
The Washington Wizards are telling teams that Kyle Kuzma is NOT available for trade, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/Euz6KIvn67
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 23, 2023
Jack Fischer is reporting that the Wizards are telling teams that Kyle Kuzma is not available for trades.
It is clear that the Wizards moved Hachimura because they are convinced that Kuzma is the future of the franchise and they are going to attempt to build the team around him.
For the last few months, speculation has centered on Kuzma’s plans.
He is currently putting up 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4 assists a game and is playing some of the best basketball of his career.
These numbers meant that he could have garnered a lot for the Wiz if they traded him – but they also meant that he could possibly be the person leading the team.
Now we see that Washington is going with the latter option.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that guys like Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis will be on the move but it definitely means that Kuzma isn’t going anywhere.
Now the Wizards’ front office needs to do whatever they can to give Kuzma and his peers the reinforcements necessary to become contenders in the East.
That won’t be an easy task, especially with the hole they have dug for themselves.
With the latest moves, Washington’s overall plan for the seasons ahead is starting to come into focus.
What will they do now that Hachimura is gone and Kuzma is here to stay?
NEXT: Wizards Reveal Latest Kristaps Porzingis Update