When an NBA team is rebuilding, they don’t always want good players on their team. They want to lose games. That’s especially true in the early stages of a rebuild.
A newly rebuilding team should want to get their young players reps – and get the lottery picks they need to add young players. That’s something the Washington Wizards will have to deal with. This team just traded Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns.
The Wizards are rebuilding. Mostly, their roster comprises young players who aren’t ready to impact winning. Yet, there are some exceptions.
Kyle Kuzma is the most glaring exception of them all. He’s a quality starter in his prime. That gives him no place on this Wizards team.
Should they send him to the Memphis Grizzlies?
NBA Trade Proposal — Memphis Grizzlies Land Kyle Kuzma
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Luke Kennard, F/C Brandon Clarke, 2025 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
With that said, nobody knows how long a rebuild will take. In some cases, it takes time. Fans are advised to be patient. That isn’t always the case. Sometimes, teams rebuild seemingly overnight.
Look at the Grizzlies. It wasn’t long ago that this team was in its Grit-and-Grind era. The Grizzlies were built around Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
Eventually, they’d move on from that era. The Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. era would get underway soon after. Memphis fans didn’t have to wait long until their team was competitive.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards Updates
Although, they weren’t as competitive as they’d have liked last year. The Grizzlies were subject to constant drama. As a result, they underwent some changes this offseason. Dillon Brooks is out, and Marcus Smart is in.
Should the Grizzlies also add Kuzma?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do This Deal
The Grizzlies do this deal because they’re landing the best player involved in it. That’s simple enough. Memphis is a win-now team, and this is a win-now trade.
That doesn’t mean that it’s a no-brainer. Kuzma is on a longterm contract. It’s not a small one. The Grizzlies could be apprehensive about adding Kuzma’s contract to their salary sheet. We think it’s worth the cost. After all, Kuzma brings a lot to the table.
He’s developed into one of the more versatile players in the NBA. Kuzma can score in a variety of ways and make plays for teammates. He’s got defensive value as well.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards Updates
Moreover, the Grizzlies could use wing depth. If Washington is shopping Kuzma, the Grizzlies should be interested. Should the Wizards shop Kuzma?
Why The Washington Wizards Do This Deal
This deal is equally simple for the Wizards. They’re doing it because they’re rebuilding, and this is a rebuilding package. Is it a massive one? No. With Kuzma on a long-term deal, the Wizards won’t get a haul for him.
With that in mind, a protected first is good value for Kuzma. So is Clarke. He’s expendable to Memphis with Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman on the roster, but he could be a long-term rotation player in Washington.
Clarke share the five spot with Daniel Gafford and give Memphis a different look. Clarke is a more versatile defender and a better shooter. Moreover, Kennard should be easy enough to move as well.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards Updates
Kennard is a strong movement shooter, and contenders always have a need for those. He’s also a good addition here – as long as the Wizards don’t hold onto him for long.
