Kyle Kuzma will be a free agent when the league’s annual offseason shopping period begins next week.
Kuzma rejected his $13 million player option with the Washington Wizards for next season, a person familiar with his decision said Tuesday, which means he will be a free agent. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side disclosed the move.
ESPN first reported that Kuzma turned down the option. The move wasn’t surprising: Kuzma told The Washington Post and The Athletic in December that he doesn’t plan to exercise the option, and given what it would command in the market, his decision makes sense.
Kuzma is coming off the highest-scoring season of his six-year career. He averaged 21.2 points for the Wizards, who are finalizing a deal that will send three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. It is possible that Kuzma will return to Washington with a much more lucrative deal. $13 million for someone who averages over 20 points a game would be an absolute steal.
Free agency opens June 30th.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors announced Tuesday that point guard Gary Trent Jr. has exercised his $18.5 million option for next season, meaning he’ll pass up the chance to become a free agent.
Trent averaged 17.4 points this past season for Toronto, his third straight season averaging at least 15 points.
During his five-year career with the Raptors and Portland, Trent — the son of former NBA guard Gary Trent — averaged 14.4 points.
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