of Washington Wizards Starting trade negotiations with multiple teams, mainly in the fourth year and beyond Rui Hachimura, athletic Learned from league sources.
Hachimura, who will become a restricted free agent in July, has attracted interest from several Western Conference teams in need of scoring, league sources said.
Wizards also draw interest from multiple teams on potential deals involving star forwards Kyle Kuzmabut moving Hachimura would reduce the deadlock in the forward spot, put the franchise in a better position financially, and focus on re-signing Kuzma, potentially re-signing him. Kristaps Porzizis in the off season. As usual, ahead of the trade deadline, the Wizards are keeping options open on several fronts, including the possibility of playing this all out in the offseason.
Whether or not to trade Hachimura and Kuzma A difficult decision a wizard must make As the trading deadline approaches February 9th. Kuzma won’t sign contract extension He also expects a $13 million player option next season to decline. Team officials appreciate Kuzma and want to re-sign him over the summer. If the Wizards trade Hachimura, it could indicate team officials are confident they can keep up with Kuzma, who is averaging 21.6 points and 45.7% shooting this season and has 7.5 rebounds. I have.
One of the issues Wizards officials have to consider is whether the team will maintain its veteran core and surpass the league’s luxury tax threshold, currently projected at $162 million, next season. It’s a matter of whether you can build the rest of your roster without it.
bradley beer In the second year of his five-year contract, he is expected to make $46.7 million next season. Complicating matters is that Kuzma will become an imminent unrestricted free agent in July, and Porzizis will be a $36 million player next season whether to exercise his option. , can be an unrestricted free agent. Hachimura will receive an $8.48 million qualifying offer in the offseason to become a restricted free agent.
The Wizards now have a crowded picture in the forward spot with Kuzma firmly entrenched as a starter, with Hachimura and 22. Deni Avdia Compete for minutes. Kuzma has said in the past that he is most comfortable playing power forward. Power forward is also Hachimura’s most natural position. Avdija is mainly deployed on the wings.
Hachimura, who turns 25 on February 8, missed 16 games earlier this season due to a bone bruise in his right ankle.
When I was healthy, I was actively looking for my shots off the bench. In 24.2 minutes per game, Hachimura is averaging 12.9 points on his 49.2% shooting percentage. After a slow start to long-range shooting this season, he has picked up his strokes and made 40% of his 3-point attempts so far this month.
Washington selected Hachimura with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga.
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(Photo: Tommy Gilligan/USA Today)
