Indiana Pacers receive: F Kyle Kuzma, G Ish Smith
Washington Wizards Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
The Indiana Pacers prefer this deal to the previous one if they’re higher on Kuzma than Hachimura. The advanced metrics don’t necessarily support that preference.
In 2021-22, Kuzma has a -4.1 Box Plus/Minus (BPM) compared to Hachimura’s 0.8. Meanwhile, he only edges Hachimura in Win Shares by a tally of 0.4 to 0.3.
Those stats are open to interpretation. Hachimura missed ample time this season for unclear personal reasons (something the Pacers may want to investigate if they do opt to trade for him). That skews any statistical analysis: he arguably didn’t have enough time to either establish himself or mess up.
The Pacers may just prefer the veteran. Kuzma’s raw production was more impressive than his frontcourt partner’s. Kuzma averaged 18.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per 75 possessions in 2021-22. In his limited time, Hachimura averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per the same measure.
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It’s probably a matter of preference. Hachimura may be a better supporting player as a better floor spacer/defender, while Kuzma has more chops as an initiator. Whichever deal the Indiana Pacers preferred would leave each of these teams with better floor balance
