Why Knicks CAA ties could land blossoming star via trade

The pending free agent Knicks could land via trade: Kyle Kuzma

The brilliant Eric Pincus recently covered some of the latest NBA trade rumors over at Bleacher Report, and one of the key players discussed was Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma. The former NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers is in the final year of his deal, making $13 million.

He is also having a breakout season, averaging 21.4 points per game as part of a three-headed attack for the Wizards. He is hitting a career-best 46.2 percent of his shots, is facilitating the offense more than ever, and is rightfully expecting a significant payday this summer.

Pincus relays that it’s unlikely he is back with the Wizards next year, and Washington’s six-game losing streak has dropped them to 12th in the Eastern Conference. They could decide at any time not to prioritize this season, and if they do so it makes sense to feel out the trade market for Kuzma.

Teams trading for Kuzma will want assurances that he will re-sign with them, and it sounds like Kuzma wants over $20 million per year, and to join either a contender or a big-market team. The Knicks might not have a lockdown on the contender part, but they are certainly a big market.

And the final card the Knicks can play: Kyle Kuzma is a CAA client, and his agent once worked very closely with Leon Rose. In his piece, Pincus highlights this connection and names the Knicks as a prime suitor for Kuzma. His trade market will be depressed by his salary expectations and his desire to play in certain markets, which gives the Knicks an advantage and will make the cost to bring him in more manageable.

What would it look like for the Knicks to trade for Kyle Kuzma?