Kyle Kuzma ‘declines $13 million option to remain with the Wizards and is set to hit free agency’

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has declined the $13 million player option in his contract and will join the free agent market this offseason in a move that was long expected, according to a report.

Back in April, Kuzma stated that it would ‘100 percent’ be an option for him to return to the Wizards. 

‘It’s 100 percent an option. … I’ve had a great time here,’ Kuzma said. ‘I’ve developed my game significantly here, and there’s good people here. I’d be a fool to say it’s not an option for me.’ 

But it remains to be seen if how realistic an option staying with the Wizards is for Kuzma under the new direction of recently hired team president Michael Winger as the forward declined his player option Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

While staying in Washington could still be an option, Kuzma, who will turn 28 in late July, will hit the free agency market as a prominent prospect having averaged a career-high 21.2 points to go along with 7.2 rebounds.

Kyle Kuzma has declined the player option in his contract and will test free agency this year

The soon-to-be 28-year-old averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game during the season

It has been noted that Kuzma is expected to one of the ‘more interesting’ and most prized unrestricted free agents in this summer’s market which in all likelihood will land him a massive contract somewhere, according to Bleacher Report. 

‘Kuzma, though, will surely have plenty of options. He’s played his way into a prime opportunity to cash in on what could be the best contract of his career, a multi-year deal that may reach nine figures’, noted NBC Sports’ Chase Hughes.

‘He is an ascending player who has proven he can be a key ingredient on a winning team who draws rave reviews as a teammate both on and off the court.’ 

Kuzma also previously stated that he is not focused solely on securing himself the biggest paycheck possible in his next deal.

He previously stated he is open to staying in Washington and will not seek the highest payday

‘I’m trying to get better every year,’ Kuzma said. 

‘It’s not about money, I’m going to get paid regardless anywhere [I go] and here, too. It’s about can I come into work every day and be the best version of myself, can I help lead guys, can I make other players better, can I light up rooms? All those things matter when you’re trying to be successful.’ 

Kuzma has already been linked with a number of teams even before news that he finally declined the option emerged.

Some of the most common locations floated around has new homes for Kuzma have been the Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs, according to Bleacher Report.