NBA rumors: Mavs drop Kyrie clue, new Kuzma favorite, LeBron to the Hawks?

A new slate of NBA rumors features the Mavericks forecasting Kyrie Irving’s free agent decision, Kyle Kuzma’s next home, and LeBron James to the Hawks.

NBA rumors: New favorite to sign Kyle Kuzma in free agency

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the Sacramento Kings have emerged as serious suitors for free agent forward Kyle Kuzma. The Kings have roughly $35 million in cap space after offloading Richaun Holmes’ contract via trade on draft night.

The Kings are in the market for size and defensive toughness on the wing. Kuzma isn’t an elite defender but he has grown considerably in that respect since his time in Los Angeles, which is not far from Sacramento on the map. Kuzma rebounds well for his position and he emerged as a reliable, semi-efficient 20-point scorer with the Wizards.

Harrison Barnes’ impending free agency could increase the need for a player like Kuzma, who would share the starting frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray. Kuzma fits well as an off-ball scorer who can hit spot-up 3s and drive the lane off passes from Sabonis or All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox.

Sacramento has other priorities this summer, including Sabonis’ extension and the looming free agency of in-house power forward Trey Lyles, but even those moves would leave Sacramento with $25 million in cap space according to Fischer.

The Kings have every reason to swing for the fences after grabbing the No. 3 seed last season. Kuzma could help them take the next step.