Sacramento Kings linked to Kyle Kuzma, Nerlens Noel trade rumors
Dec 13, 2022, 11:44 AM | Updated: 11:45 am
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Los Angeles Clippers at Capital One Arena on December 10, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Thursday, Dec. 15, is a big day in the NBA.
Players who signed free-agent contracts over the summer are eligible to be traded. There isn’t likely to be a flurry of moves like what fans see at the NBA trade deadline in February, but the date does present more opportunities for teams to move players.
And as we get closer to Dec. 15, more rumors start flying.
According to the Athletic’s James L Edwards III, the Detroit Pistons may be willing to move some players, but not all as they hope to be better “sooner rather than later.” Nerlens Noel could be one of those players as he stands out in a crowded Detroit backcourt.
League sources, who were granted anonymity so that they could speak freely, have told The Athletic that the Pistons are looking to move the veteran big man. Both sides have agreed that a deal is best for both parties, and Detroit has already had talks with rival teams about Noel. Portland, Sacramento, Miami and Dallas have been the teams most engaged when it comes to acquiring the 28-year-old.
Noel has only played in six games for the Pistons, but in his career, he’s averaged 7.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
Another familiar name has re-emerged with connections to Sacramento, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma.
In 2021, the Kings and Los Angeles Lakers appeared to have a deal in place that would have sent Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell to Sacramento for former King Buddy Hield. Instead, the Lakers sent Kuzma, Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Wizards for Russell Westbrook.
According to Eric Pincus at Bleacher Report, Kuzma is still on the Kings’ radar.
Kuzma is believed to still be on the Sacramento Kings’ radar after they missed out on him in 2021 when the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to Washington instead of Sacramento. The Kings can’t trade a first until 2028 (due to protections on their obligation to the Atlanta Hawks for Kevin Huerter), but they could build a deal around Harrison Barnes with that distant pick and/or prospects like Davion Mitchell.
Pincus goes on to say Sacramento could also be interested in several players on the Toronto Raptors roster if the team decides to move on from OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam.
