Report: Cavs eyeing Wizards' Kyle Kuzma
Jun. 20—Don't snooze waiting for the Cavaliers to pick 49th in the NBA Draft, because team president of basketball operations Koby Altman might make franchise-altering moves before then if rumors circulating on the Internet become fact.
Evan Dammarell of Right Down Euclid is reporting the Cavaliers might use their mid-level exception to try to sign Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards. Kuzma has a $13 million player option with the Wizards for 2023-24.
Separately, rumbles continue about the Cavaliers' desire to trade into the first round, or at least into the top part of the second round.
The mid-level exception allows a team to sign a player without destroying their salary cap or pushing them beyond the luxury tax threshold.
Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis can also opt out of his contract. He will make more than $36 million if he remains with the Wizards, who are in a rebuild after trading Bradley Beal to Phoenix.
The Jazz, Pistons and Rockets have also been linked to Kuzma. The Cavaliers are closer to contending for an NBA title than any of the other three teams, so Kuzma might choose the Cavs over the three other suitors if he is driven to win, even if each of the others could offer more money.
The Cavaliers are determined to improve their scoring. Kuzma, a 6-foot-9 forward, played and started 64 games with the Wizards and averaged 21.2 points a game with the Wizards last season.
A starting five of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland at guard, Jarrett Allen at center plus Evan Mobley and Kuzma at forward would be formidable especially if they re-sign Caris LeVert. LeVert will become a free agent without a new contract.
Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens and Sam Merrill all have non-guaranteed contracts with the Cavaliers for 2023-24. Osman's contract becomes guaranteed June 29, but he could be part of a package used to acquire a first-round pick. The Cavs do not have a first-round choice this year because they traded it to the Pacers in February 2022 in the deal used to acquire LeVert.
The Cavaliers need a backup center as well as a perimeter scorer.
The Pacers own three first-round picks — seven, 26 and 29. The 26th pick is the one acquired from the Cavaliers.
Sam Amico of HoopsWire.com reported the Cavs are trying to acquire either picks 26 or 29 from the Pacers.
Charlotte (two and 27), Rockets (four and 20) and the Nets (21 and 22) also have multiple first-round picks.
