One NBA writer is proposing that the Indiana Pacers trade Obi Toppin and Buddy Hield to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma in a blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Wizards and Pacers:
Trade idea: Washington Wizards trade Kyle Kuzma to Indiana Pacers for Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin and 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected)
“An in-prime player like Kuzma doesn’t do much for a rebuilder, but he could be coveted by the Pacers if they think they’re only a power forward away from leaping up the Eastern Conference ladder,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Washington would be wise to examine as many today-for-tomorrow trades as possible, and this would deliver on that front.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Obi Toppin, Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards Updates
“Toppin is a recent top-10 pick (No. 8 in 2020) who could flourish now that he’s out from behind Julius Randle. This lightly protected first-rounder could have significant value, as it’d be coming from a club that’s made three consecutive lottery appearances. Hield would be included here for salary-matching purposes, but the Wizards could shop him around to any shooting-needy buyers to squeeze additional assets out of this deal.”
Kuzma played in 64 games for the Wizards in 2022-23. The swingman averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 44.8% overall, 33.3% from 3-point land and 73.0% from the foul line. Kuzma, who won the 2020 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, signed a four-year, $90 million contract with the Wizards this offseason.
Toppin averaged 7.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists last season for the New York Knicks in 67 games while shooting 44.6% overall, 34.4% from 3 and 80.9% from the foul line. The Knicks traded Toppin to the Pacers this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Obi Toppin, Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards Updates
Finally, Hield is one of the best shooters of all time. He was second in the NBA last season in 3-point field goals (288) and shot 42.5% from beyond the arc. The 30-year-old Oklahoma product is a career 40.2% shooter from 3-point land, which is good for 39th in NBA history. Hield averaged 16.8 points for the Pacers last season.
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