Report: After Quarreling With The Head Coach, The Washington Wizards key Player Departed From The Team.
The Dallas Mavericks completed three transactions, including one with the Washington Wizards, before the 2024 NBA trade deadline. Though Kyle Kuzma, who an NBA insider had previously identified as a “preferred target,” was not acquired by Dallas, the team did acquire a backup big man who might potentially address some of its shortcomings.
Already demonstrating his value, Daniel Gafford lit up his Mavs debut in a game when the team resolved a persistent problem. It was made even more remarkable by the fact that it was against the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the league’s strongest teams.
Still, will Dallas look back and regret missing out on Kuzma from the Wizards? It seems that a deal to acquire the forward was virtually completed.
Dallas Mavericks were reportedly on the verge of making a trade for Wizards standout Kyle Kuzma. Josh Robbin of The Athletic revealed that Washington was on the verge of accepting an offer for Kuzma, however the source did not reveal who the potential trade partner would be. But the outlet has previously revealed that the Mavs were “almost certainly” the team interested in the seventh-year veteran.
But why did the agreement fall through? The Wizards were reportedly looking for at least two first-round selections. Dallas probably objected to the asking price since it would have been extremely difficult to dry out its draft assets for a player who wasn’t an All-Star.
In the end, the Mavs front staff selected Gafford and P.J. Washington, a talented forward who was previously with the Charlotte Hornets, with protected first-round picks in exchange for underperforming players. Furthermore, the franchise might have made the proper decision based on the new additions’ initial performances while wearing a Mavs uniform.
Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington make their Mavs debuts 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M7Ixn3a4xf
— NBA on ESPN, February 10, 2024 (@ESPNNBA)
It remains to be seen, though, if Dallas will soon suffer for not obtaining Kuzma. This season, he has averaged 21.8 points and 4.2 assists per game. He may have given the squad another capable scoring option in addition to his ability to distribute the ball. Having won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, his championship pedigree may have been his most significant commodity to the Mavs.
When the Wizards come to town on Monday, Kuzma will have the opportunity to show that Dallas was mistaken to not throw everything on him.
The Mavs, who are currently eighth in the Western Conference with a 30-23 record, are hoping to extend their winning run to four games and move up the rankings.
