An NBA rebuild doesn’t happen overnight. Typically, a team doesn’t make a single trade that transitions them into a new era of basketball. More often, there are loose ends to tie up. A team may have to make a series of trades before they’re officially in rebuilding mode.
Currently, we’re watching this play out in real time. The Portland Trail Blazers just traded Damian Lillard. They are officially rebuilding. With that said, the job isn’t nearly done. The Blazers now need to look to move Jrue Holiday – and, later in the year, Jerami Grant as well. Are there any other teams in a similar position?
How about the Washington Wizards? They traded Bradley Beal this summer. The Wizards are beginning a rebuild – but they’ve got loose ends to tie up. There are still win-now veterans on this team. One of them is Kyle Kuzma. Could the Wizards send him to the Dallas Mavericks?
The Trade Proposal
Washington Wizards Receive: C Richaun Holmes, F/C Maxi Kleber, G/F Josh Green, 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
With that said, every rebuild doesn’t look the same, either. Every team in the NBA has its own unique set of conditions. Look at the Blazers. This team has been losing for a couple of seasons. They’ve got Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe as a result. Having also landed a draft-day steal in Anfernee Simons, the Blazers are already well-equipped for the future.
By contrast, take a team like the Houston Rockets. When James Harden requested a trade, the Rockets had been contending for years. In a sense, they were victims of their own success. The Rockets were not equipped for the future. The Rockets tanked for several years as a result. Time will tell whether Portland is inclined to do the same.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Dallas Mavericks Updates
What about the Wizards? Well, this team has mostly made a habit of taking safe, low-risk prospects in the middle of the lottery. As a result, they’ve got plenty of solid young talent. Still, outside of Bilal Couliaby, there isn’t a lot of star upside here. Does this team put the Wizards in a better position to eventually find a star?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
This deal presents Washington with a similar dilemma. They’re bringing in two veterans that also won’t be part of their future. That’s inconsequential. Finding a taker for Kleber should be easy, and depending on how Holmes performs, he shouldn’t be too difficult to move either.
Regardless, these are both mid-level contracts. The Wizards don’t need to worry about them. They need to worry about their future. This deal helps them in that regard. Most importantly, they’re landing a distant pick swap from the Mavericks. If things go south in Dallas, that could be a key asset for Washington.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, don’t sell the addition of Green short. He’s a young, energetic defensive wing who could be part of this team’s future as well. Should the Mavericks really give him up?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
As constructed, the Mavericks are interesting. They’ve got one of the most talented offensive duos in the NBA, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. They’ve got some solid role players around them, too. Here’s what Dallas is missing: a viable third option behind their star duo.
Why not Kuzma? He’s a do-it-all wing who should complement each of Dallas’ stars. Kuzma is a useful cutter and a passable floor spacer who can create his own shot and make plays for teammates. He’ll give Dallas a new dynamic on offense. Moreover, he can hold his own on the defensive end as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards & Dallas Mavericks Updates
Sure, Dallas is gutting their big man depth here. If Derrick Lively III is ready to contribute, that’s a non-issue. Between him and Dwight Powell, the Mavericks will still have options at the 5. Hopefully, they can avoid rebuilding for a long time to come.
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