NBA Trade Rumors: Warriors among 5 teams eyeing former NBA champion ahead of trade deadline
As the Golden State Warriors jockey for a higher position in the Western Conference standings, they'll keep an eye on the trade market for players that can help their cause. It appears that they have their eye on a former NBA champion who can add more juice to their offense.
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Washington Wizards' Kyle Kuzma is a target for the Warriors as the trade deadline looms on the horizon. GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., however, has his work cut out, as he faces stiff competition for the services of the Wizards forward.
How can Kyle Kuzma help the Warriors?
Siegel's report suggests that Golden State is looking for another piece to help spearhead their offense. A closer look at their depth chart shows their need for another top-notch shot-maker.
The Warriors are a middling team right now in terms of offensive rating, a category in which they're tied for 16th with the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is a far cry from the efficient offense that Golden State have put on the floor over the years. Clearly, their offense needs a boost this season.
Kuzma can provide the boost that the Warriors are looking for. Despite being hampered by injuries this season, the 6-foot-9 forward is still a matchup that poses a threat in the paint or on the perimeter. In 12 games this season, Kuzma is averaging 15.8 points on 42% shooting from the field.
If the Warriors do get their hands on Kuzma, head coach Steve Kerr would have a more robust frontcourt rotation that would feature Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Jonathan Kuminga (who could be on the chopping block himself).
Kuzma would make sense as either a starter playing the wings with Buddy Hield or a sixth man, who could elevate bench scoring alongside the sweet-shooting Brandin Podziemski.
Other teams need Kyle Kuzma's boost on offense as well
As it turns out, three other teams mentioned by Siegel are in the bottom half of offensive rating. They, too, would benefit from Kuzma's versatile skill set on that end of the floor.
Of those three teams, the Portland Trail Blazers have the worst offensive rating, 29th in the league (next to the Washington Wizards and their dismal 3-19 record). The Detroit Pistons (24th) and the Indiana Pacers (19th) aren't doing too well either.
Though the Sacramento Kings (6th) are a top-10 offense in the league, they're currently 12th in the West and in serious need of a scoring punch that can push them further up the standings. Kuzma, who has earned the nickname "Clutch Kuz" for his ability to win games in crunch time, can help them in this regard.
As February 7 approaches, expect Kuzma to be a hot commodity on the trade market—with the highly creative Warriors front office making a strong move to land the one-time NBA champion.