No NBA team wants to get stuck on the mediocrity treadmill. That’s when a team is stuck in the middle. They’re too good to tank, but they aren’t good enough to win the NBA championship. With that said, the decision to jump off of that treadmill can be a difficult one. After all, there’s always hope that you’ll move off of it organically.
The Washington Wizards abandoned that hope this summer. This team has been stuck on the mediocrity treadmill for years. They finally got off of it. The Wizards traded Bradley Beal. Now, this organization should be undergoing a long-term rebuild.
Their work is not entirely done. Beal may be a member of the Phoenix Suns, but Kyle Kuzma remains a Wizard. He should be a top trade target this season. The Wizards should look to flip Kuzma for future-focused assets as soon as they’ve got the opportunity. Could they send him to the Indiana Pacers?
The Trade Proposal
Washington Wizards Receive: F/C Daniel Theis, G T.J. McConnell, F/C Jalen Smith, 2025 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
Let’s talk about that potential for organic growth. Some teams bank on it. They don’t want to undergo a long-term tanking project. So, they hope that with some marginal changes, the right coaching staff, and developing chemistry, the team will improve.
That’s a route that’s especially popular for small market teams. Take the Wizards. While Washington isn’t precisely a small market, the Wizards aren’t exactly a powerhouse brand. This team maintained the hope that they could put the right group around Beal for a long time.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Indiana Pacers Updates
On the other hand, the Pacers are one of the smallest market teams in the league. Perhaps that’s why they never tank. Seriously: look at Pacers history. This team never tanks. Should they continue that trend by acquiring Kuzma this season?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Some Pacers fans won’t like this suggestion. Fair enough. This team is rebuilding. They just drafted Jarace Walker, and acquired Obi Toppin. Why would they make a move for another 4?
We hear you. At the same time, the Pacers are heavily rumored to be shopping for a 4. It seems like this team isn’t going to wait for Walker and/or Toppin to develop. Perhaps this is a case of the Pacers refusing to tank again. If so, Kuzma will make them a better team. This is a win-now move.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Indiana Pacers Updates
Besides, it doesn’t have to nerf the development of Walker. He can find time at the 4 and the 5 as a combo big as a rookie. If the recent lottery pick eclipses Kuzma in time, the Pacers can shop Kuzma. If Indiana is interested in winning now, they’ll be happy to upgrade their roster by adding Kuzma. Should the Wizards help them make that upgrade?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Absolutely. The Wizards effectively need to trade Kuzma this season. They can’t trade him now – they just extended him. Why did they do that?
If they’re smart, they did it to increase his trade value. A player on an expiring contract won’t yield the same return as a player on a fresh extension. Now that Kuzma is locked into long-term money, the Wizards should be able to move him. What should they be looking for?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Indiana Pacers Updates
Above all else, an unprotected first-round pick. The Wizards are getting one of those here. Meanwhile, Smith is young enough to take a flier on. All told, this deal puts Washington in a better position. In the NBA, the bottom is often better than the middle.
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